Looking at the original documents my wife and I signed, the purchase price was $145,920 and the sale included one 9,100-square-foot building (but not the land it sat on), 80 acres of sweet potatoes already planted and awaiting harvest later that year, some cardboard boxes and a little bit of equipment. The year before, my uncle documented that A.V. Thomas Produce sold almost 39,000 40-pound cartons of sweet potatoes and yams – about 1.5 million pounds of produce.

Thirty years later, A.V. Thomas Produce, Inc. grows 1,700 acres of all-organic sweet potatoes and yams, and sells more than 100 million pounds of sweet potatoes and yams, organic and conventional.

This growth and success was only possible because of the opportunity given to me by my uncle; the support and love of my wife, Laurinda, and our daughter, Marcia; and the hard work and proper supervisions made by my sons, Ricardo and Carlos. Our accomplishments are also due to the talent and hard work of our supervisors, managers and employees, our top quality growers, and the loyalty of our suppliers and customers. To each of you, I express my sincere thanks.

Finally, from deep in my heart, I want to thank God for the life I’ve led and for the health and happiness my family has been blessed with.

Manuel Eduardo Vieira - Owner and President