UAPB gives away its sweet potatoes

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences has donated about 1,200 pounds of sweet potatoes to organizations including senior citizen centers, halfway houses and addiction recovery centers.

The donation initiative — led by Shaun Francis, extension horticulture specialist for the school — has helped feed about 230 people, according to a news release.

In addition, the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences donated more than 2,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to the city of Pine Bluff for a recent event designed to encourage local participation in the 2020 census May 2 in the parking lot of the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas.

“The sweet potatoes were a hit and made a positive, healthy impact,” said Mayor Shirley Washington. “The families were excited by the fact that they were given fresh sweet potatoes that were homegrown at UAPB.

“We also gave each family a flyer that shared with them the nutritional value of sweet potatoes, along with several simple recipes. Even citizens who had completed the census came by for a bag of sweet potatoes. We are so grateful to Mr. Francis and his team for their hard work and generosity in providing the much-appreciated donation to the city of Pine Bluff.”

Staff members of UAPB’s 1890 Cooperative Extension Program have provided administrators of community organizations with instructions on how to store and cook the sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of Vitamin A and fiber.

More information about potential sweet potato donations is available from Francis at (870) 543-0029 or franciss@uapb.edu. The availability of sweet potatoes for donation depends on supply.