In January, Wayne Bailey Produce Co., a leading sweet potato producer headquartered in Chadbourn, NC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On June 20, company President George Wooten told The Produce News it was preparing to successfully exit Chapter 11 in September.

“Our planned confirmation for exiting is in September,” said Wooten. “Throughout the process, Wayne Bailey Produce has continued to supply and service its customers with the highest- quality sweet potatoes. We look forward to the upcoming crop and to continuing our strong relationships with existing customers as well as attracting new ones.”The Wayne Bailey executive team: Sterling Cook, George Wooten Jr., Jose Maria Lopez Arroyo and George Wooten III.

The restructuring efforts have been assisted by Sterling Cook, current chief restructuring officer. He will remain with the company as chief executive officer following the restructuring.

“Sterling has extensive experience in the produce industry,” explained Wooten. “He grew up in eastern North Carolina, and he has worked in the sweet potato industry for the past seven years. We are excited about adding Sterling’s leadership abilities to our team.”

“The entire Wayne Bailey Produce team is enthusiastic about its bright future as it emerges a stronger company that is well positioned to thrive in the United States and beyond,” said Cook.

Wooten said that current sweet potato supply levels are in great shape.

“As in every year, we are on par to ensure our customers will get from cured-to-cured again this year,” he noted.

The 2018 North Carolina sweet potato crop had a slow start with excess rain and cooler temperatures in late spring, according to Wooten. But production is now well under way and plant quality is very good.

“Overall, North Carolina is going to see a decrease in sweet potato acreage this year, but Wayne Bailey Produce has increased its production,” stressed Wooten. “We have sufficient planned acreage to fulfill our customers’ needs, and we’re excited about adding new relationships to our team.”

Wayne Bailey Produce, founded in 1935, is one of the largest sweet potato producers in the nation. Known as an innovator and pacesetter in the sweet potato industry, it offers sweet potatoes in bulk, value-added, numerous pack styles and sizes and organic options. Its trademarked Petitelings fingerling-sized sweet potatoes are a hallmark of the company’s creative ingenuity.