Key Takeaways
- Row 7 Seed Company launches its new Starling sweet potato across Whole Foods Market locations on the U.S. East Coast.
- The variety combines Covington’s creamy sweetness with the rich color and depth of purple sweet potatoes.
- Starling was developed by NC State’s renowned sweet potato breeding program.
- The product is grown through Row 7’s network of organic farmers who prioritize flavor and soil health.
- Founder Chef Dan Barber highlights its exceptional texture and transformative culinary qualities.
Row 7 Seed Company's Sweet Potato Built for Flavor and Color
Row 7 Seed Company has announced the official release of its Starling sweet potato, now available at Whole Foods Market stores across the East Coast. Known for its commitment to seed-to-table innovation, the company brings forward a variety that blends culinary performance with vibrant aesthetics.
Starling’s deep purple hue reflects high levels of anthocyanins, compounds associated with antioxidant properties. The variety merges the creamy sweetness of Covington with the aromatic depth of purple sweet potatoes, offering a rich, versatile ingredient for home cooks.
Developed Through Leading Sweet Potato Breeding Expertise
The Starling sweet potato was developed by North Carolina State University’s sweet potato breeding program, recognized for producing Covington — a variety that has shaped the modern industry for nearly twenty years. The collaboration builds on Row 7’s mission to pair plant breeding with culinary insight.
“The creamy texture is exceptional,” said Chef Dan Barber, founder of Row 7 Seed Company. “But the flavor delivers the sweet potato experience you never knew you were missing.”
Organic Farmer Partnerships Bring Starling to Market
Starling is produced through Row 7’s network of organic growers who share the company’s focus on flavor, soil health, and sustainable farming. This approach ensures that each variety is developed with both culinary excellence and ecological responsibility in mind.
Row 7 Seed Company: Expanding a Portfolio of Flavor-Driven Vegetables
Starling joins Row 7’s autumn lineup, which includes Badger Flame beets, Upstate Abundance potatoes, Sweet Garleek, and Honeypatch and Koginut squash. Together, these offerings provide home cooks with flavorful, thoughtfully bred vegetables designed to elevate meals and seasonal dishes.
Row 7 Seed Company
The company is an organic food company that collaborates with chefs, farmers, and plant breeders to develop new vegetable varieties with unique culinary, nutritional, and ecological traits. Its mission is to improve food from seed to table.
The company sells organic, unpatented seeds through an online marketplace and introduced a branded line of organic vegetables in grocery stores in 2022. Row 7 continues to expand its retail presence, particularly in the U.S. Northeast.
