A Xanthomonas pathogen of rice produces transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors that activate expression of SWEET sucrose exporters in the host, providing a carbon source for the pathogen. In the November issue, Cohn and colleagues present a comprehensive study showing that Xanthomonas pathogens of cassava also produce TAL effectors critical for virulence that activate expression of a sucrose and glucose exporter. This work provides a strategy for engineering Xanthomonas resistance in cassava, an important food crop. View article.