Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Stokes Purple sweet potatoes are back in season, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Los Alamitos, California-based Frieda’s Specialty Produce provides stand-alone shippers that help consumers realize they can easily add color and flair to their holiday meal.
Research shows that rich-hued purple vegetables are in demand, and pie is hotter than ever. A recent survey reveals that half of consumers plan to serve sweet potato pie this Thanksgiving, and more than one-third of consumers specifically said that they plan to make Stokes Purple sweet potato pie with maple whipped cream.
Men showed a bias for this versus women, and the purple pie over-indexes in popularity with consumers ages 18-44.
This might have something to do with the mixed sentiment of the holidays this year. Consumers want to celebrate but are still cautious to do so, so they’re looking for small ways to dial up the mood this Thanksgiving. In fact, 20 percent of consumers agreed that Thanksgiving would feel more festive if the food were more colorful (and this was as high as 25 percent amongst those with children). Additionally, 64 percent of consumers agreed that they wanted to make a beautiful dessert that adds color to the table, especially amongst consumers ages 25-34.
“Shopper interest in Stokes just keeps going up. Previously thought to be a specialty potato, our research shows that all demographics are buying Stokes year-round, and Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to gain trial in all stores,” said Alex Berkley, Frieda’s director of sales. “Our tastebud-tantalizing signage will leave your shoppers craving our signature Stokes Purple sweet potato pie.”
Organic and conventional Stokes Purple sweet potatoes are available through May in 15-lb. and 40-lb. cartons. Every potato is labeled to reduce front-end checker error. An organic 12/3-lb. bag option is also available.
From kiwifruit and dragon fruit, to Stokes Purple sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by her daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, Twitter and Friedas.com.
