Rootsii is a North Carolina-based food innovation company developing a new generation of plant-based beverages made from sweetpotatoes. The company is transforming surplus and underutilised sweetpotatoes into a nutritious, sustainable dairy alternative, creating new opportunities for growers while reducing agricultural waste. 

Rootsii’s flagship product is a sweetpotato-based ‘milk’ created through a patent-pending process developed by Appalachian State University researchers. The beverage is naturally sweet, rich in nutrients including vitamins A and C, potassium and magnesium, and designed as a clean-label alternative for health-conscious and allergen-sensitive consumers. 

The company works closely with the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission and agricultural partners to add value to the state’s sweetpotato industry. North Carolina produces around 60% of all sweetpotatoes grown in the United States, yet millions of pounds are lost each year due to supply chain challenges and market standards. Rootsii aims to convert this unused crop into a high-value consumer product. 

Supported by USD 1.82 million in NCInnovation grant funding, Rootsii is advancing its technology from proof of concept toward commercial production. With the global plant-based milk market continuing to grow, the company aims to establish sweetpotato milk as a sustainable, innovative beverage category while supporting farmers and promoting a circular food economy.