MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians will be encouraged to support the state’s sweet potato industry before the holidays during an upcoming event at the Farmers’ Market in Jackson.

Sweet Potato Day will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sept. 30. The Farmers’ Market is located on High Street across from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Benny Graves, sweet potato specialist with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s Bureau of Plant Industry, said produce purchased that day will maintain its quality throughout the holidays. Temperature control storage enables most operations to store potatoes year-round.

“Fall is sweet potato time,” said Graves, who also serves as secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council. “We want to encourage everyone to come by the Farmers’ Market and stock up on Mississippi sweet potatoes that are high in nutritional value, good looks and great taste.”

Festivities for the day include a visit from the real sweet potato queens, who will hand out free samples of sweet potato dishes and recipes for those dishes. Sweet Potato Sweets bakery of Vardaman will be present with a full line of specialties for purchase, including pies, bread, log rolls, cookies, muffin tops, candies and sweet treats. Also available for sale will be the newest edition of Mississippi’s official sweet potato cookbook.

Participants can enjoy cooking demonstrations with some of Jackson’s popular chefs, live music, free balloons for children and door prizes throughout the day.