Vidalia onions headed to grocery shelves April 17
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From staff reports
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ATLANTA — The start of Vidalia onion season is almost here, with the official pack date announced by the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner and Vidalia Onion Committee Wednesday. Vidalia onion fans across the country can mark their calendars for April 17, when the sweet onions are set to ship to grocery stores nationwide.
“In coordination with the Vidalia Onion Committee, I am incredibly excited to announce April 17 as the official pack date of the 2024 Vidalia onion season,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a news release. “Georgia Grown Vidalia Onions are recognized around the globe for their iconic, sweet flavor that is treasured by culinary leaders and home chefs alike.
“This is an exciting time for Georgia farmers and consumers alike as we look forward to enjoying the sweet onion again.”
Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year between April through early September. As America’s favorite sweet onion, many look forward to this time of year. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season, contributing to high-quality Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel voted to recommend April 17 as the 2024 pack date.
Known for their sweet, crisp flavor and versatility, Vidalia onions are a seasonal treat for various dishes – from savory to sweet. Because of the unique weather, water, and soil combination in 20 south Georgia counties, Vidalia onions cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.
While all Vidalias are sweet onions, not all sweet onions are Vidalias.
“For the 2024 season, we have 11,000 acres of Vidalia onions planted in the production area,” VOC Chairman Cliff Riner said. “Over the past few years, sweet onion sales have continued to increase, with Vidalia onions being a big part of the market. We’re looking forward to another great season this year.”
For more than 80 years, Vidalia onions have been hand-planted, harvested and cured by growers. The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 established their growing region in south Georgia and trademarked the “Vidalia onion” name. Vidalia onions are grown from a distinctive Granex seed, then packed and sold on or after the official pack date annually.
Because Vidalia onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989 to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Committee authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs.
This federal program, along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia,” unless it is from Georgia. For more information, visit www.VidaliaOnion.org.
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