Vidalia Onions Are Headed To Grocery Shelves Near You
A fieldworker snips onion bulbs on a Vidalia onion farm in Lyons, Ga.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Georgia’s state vegetable, the Vidalia onion, is making its way to grocery stores Friday.
Vidalia onions can only come from 20 counties in south Georgia. The state actually owns the trademark to the brand. To protect that brand, there are strict rules about where the onions are grown and when they can be packed for shipment.
So, starting at 8 a.m. Friday, farmers can put their produce into boxes and get them on the road.
Growers sought this regulation from the commissioner to control the quality of onions shipping out. The industry had dealt with complaints of unripe onions on the shelves and began the restriction in 2016.
John Williams is with L.G. Herndon Farms in Lyons, Ga. He said this is “going to be an excellent crop.”
He said they might be a bit smaller than last year, but that won’t affect the quality.
John Shuman owns Shuman Produce out of Reidsville, Ga. He agreed that despite some cold weather, the quality is “looking really good.”
The Vidalia is Georgia’s top vegetable commodity and was worth about $122 million last year. That’s nearly half of the country’s sweet onion market.
“It’s pretty amazing how a small little area in Georgia reaches all across the country,” Williams said.
Top Stories
