Officials at Vick Family Farms are always eager to get to the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show — as much as to re-engage with existing customers as to meet potential new clients at the event.  

“Visiting with our current customers is always top of our agenda for this show and it is a show where pretty much everyone we sell to is represented there in some way,” said Charlotte Vick, president, sales and marketing for the Wilson, NC-based company. “I talk to customers everyday but seeing them face-to-face to discuss the market and to thank them for choosing us as their supplier is always our number one priority. 

“There are still many potential new customers and this is a good chance for us to get in front of them again,” Vick continued. “We are confident in our excellent quality and customer service so I we hope that one there could be an opportunity to work with them as well.”

Vick said that the company has built strong relationships through honesty, integrity, quality and its customer service. “I have no doubt our company is a leader in this industry and we will continue to grow and serve the needs of consumers around the country with delicious Carolina Gold Sweetpotatoes,” she said. “We hope to come away with lots of good conversations in regard to how pleased our current customers are, how we can continue to help them grow their business and also potential new business for the future.”

The company completed additional storage facilities on its farm in late 2025. Now, Vick said the team is getting ready to begin the 2026 crop and its goal is to always continue to strive to produce a quality crop and be known as a superior brand. “We will continue to upgrade equipment and technology this coming season which will allow us for even more improvement,” she added. 

There is a lot to discuss with attendees. One thing is that the sweet potato market is doing well. “We associate this with health goals in the new year and it seems each year the trend continues to grow and sweet potatoes are on everyone’s grocery list,” Vick said. “Our North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission’s Marketing, which I sit on, has done a wonderful job helping to spread the word how healthy and versatile sweet potatoes are. As we continue to educate our consumers they too will continue to use sweet potatoes in their menus more often. The sweet potato is no longer just a holiday item and also no longer just a sweet dessert treat. This is certainly a benefit to our industry.”

Vick acknowledges that farmers have a lot of challenges. “I am not going to sugar coat it all and say we have not had those same challenges,” she said. “We have been blessed with a solid foundation that continues to strengthen and the addition of the 3rd generation and having seen them now for a few seasons be involves in our business and learn the industry only gives me more confidence that Vick Family Farms will continue to grow and be successful in the future. These kids (adults) are doing a wonderful job and I see our ethics in them daily. They care deeply about doing a good job and though growing up sometimes.

“They put our customers first, they care about our employees and they are learning how to grow good crops. They are young and those are our future customers so they will understand that market much better than I ever could. It is an exciting time for me to watch them grow and appreciate what our parents began 51 years ago. I can only imagine how proud my daddy would be if he were here today.”