Ag News
Vidalia Onions set to ship April 16
Posted on Apr 07, 2020 at 20:00 PM
For Vidalia onion fans, spring doesn't officially start until the iconic vegetable ships to stores around the country. This year, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee have set April 16 as the official 2020 pack date for America's favorite sweet onion.
Hand-cultivated by 60 registered growers in 20 Southeast Georgia counties, the date the unique onion ships is an annual rite of spring because it is only available for a short period of time each year. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season that helps ensure only the highest quality Vidalia onions, known for their sweet, mild flavor, are shipped to stores. The Vidalia Onion Committee voted unanimously for the April 16 date.
“We are going to have a strong harvest this year,” said Aries Haygood, the newly elected chairman of the Vidalia Onion Committee. He noted that 9,400 acres of Vidalia onions were planted for the season.
The Vidalia Onion Committee is continuing its “Sweet Life” marketing campaign launched last year to reach home cooks across the country who enjoy cooking and entertaining.
“The campaign has enabled us to elevate our brand with broad groups of consumers who value good taste and living well,” Haygood said.
Vidalia onions represent about 40% of the U.S. sweet onion market and are sold in every state. The Vidalia trademark is owned by the state of Georgia because of the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986. To be considered a Vidalia onion, the vegetable must be cultivated in one of 20 Southeast Georgia counties from a distinctive Granex seed.
More information about Vidalia onions can be found at www.vidaliaonion.org, and updates on this season's news will be shared on Vidalia Onion Committee's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube accounts.
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