Quality, sustainability, crop outlook focus of Nash Produce at CPMA
Quality, sustainability, crop outlook focus of Nash Produce at CPMA
Nash Produce representatives have been busy preparing for the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s expo, where they will have several initiatives to discuss with current and potential customers.
“CPMA is always an excellent show to attend, and members of our team have been attending year after year,” said Robin Narron, sales support and marketing director of the Nashville, NC, supplier of sweet potatoes. “As Nash Produce continues to expand into new markets and continues to increase shipping into Canada, this show allows us to connect with buyers from this region that we are unable to connect with on a regular basis.”
Don Sparks, international sales representative, and David Bradley, director of business development, will be meeting visitors at booth No. 300 on the expo floor.
“Relationship building is an important part of the business, and it is something we take pride in here at Nash Produce,” Narron said. “Being an exhibitor will not only allow us to maintain current relationships but also cultivate new ones.”
The quality of the company’s sweet potatoes will be a focus, along with an outlook on the spring planting and discussion of Nash Produce facilities that provide ideal storage conditions to carry the supplies throughout the year.
“With industry-leading storage facilities, it allows us to provide high-quality sweet potatoes year-round,” Narron said. “Being able to control temperature and humidity in these facilities is a major reason we can provide such high-quality sweet potatoes.”
Sustainability initiatives are a key part of Nash Produce’s operations, she said, and the CPMA expo floor gives the sweet potato company an opportunity to discuss sustainability advances. Sustainability continues to be a hot topic for buyers, and show floor visits allow Nash Produce to assure current and potential customers it takes the issue seriously.
“We have already taken steps to become more sustainable here at Nash Produce, but we are also looking into new projects,” Narron said. “Ultimately, we want retailers and consumers to know that we are taken the initiative on our own instead of simply doing it because we have to.”
2025 crop vs. 2024
Nash Produce has been contacting its grower base as it prepared seed potatoes for fields and greenhouses, and representatives will be discussing plans for the 2025 crop.
“Our grower base is a group of extremely talented individuals who truly excel in their farming practices, and we are expecting an excellent crop given ideal weather conditions during the growing season,” Narron said.
The 2025 crop outlook comes as the North Carolina sweet potato industry is managing the remaining supply of the 2024 harvest. Inventories have been down throughout the season, with a 30-35 percent drop in original 2024 crop projections, primarily due to weather issues.
Narron said Nash Produce has been working diligently to manage its inventory to minimize the effect on customers.
“Unquestionably, this will have an impact on sweet potato pricing,” she said. “We want our customers to know that Nash Produce is doing all it can to minimize the impact on their supply of sweet potatoes.”
