For the sixth year in a row, Wesson Lions Club is bringing a truckload of sweet potatoes from Landreth Farms in Vardaman  — the “Sweet Potato Capital of the World” — to local consumers in order to raise funds for the local and international charities supported by the club.

Lions will begin selling the tubers Oct. 1 and continue until the supply runs out. Wesson Flea Market visitors will be able to purchase them at the Lions Club tent on Oct. 19, if any are still available.

This year’s inventory includes 400 boxes of regular-sized sweet potatoes — at 40 pounds per box — and 25 boxes of jumbo sweet potatoes. Each box sells for $20, or 50 cents per pound.

Lions Club member Bob Arnold says it’s not just individuals who look forward to the annual sale. Area restaurants also stock up during the yearly fundraiser.

Officials from Landreth Farms say it’s the loam soil and early rains in the Vardaman area that make their crops sweet and special. Landreth Farms has 600 acres of sweet potatoes and sells commercially to stores like Kroger and Walmart and canners like Gerber. The company also produces microwaveable pre-wrapped sweet potatoes.

The annual sweet potato sale is one of three major fundraising activities for the Wesson Lions Club. The club also has an annual spring pancake breakfast and concession stands at Copiah-Lincoln Community College athletic events.

The club disburses approximately $10,000 each year to assist deaf and blind people through the International Lions Club and to support local organizations and causes related to issues such as community improvement, children and youth, veterans and hospice care.

For more information or to order sweet potatoes, call Ric Crockett at 985-285-1780 or Alton Ricks at 601-643-2466.