Pressure Washing in vidalia, GA

Georgia's famed Vidalia onions return to stores despite weather hurdles, with growers like Aries Haygood optimistic about quality after a slow start.

LYONS, Ga. — Georgia’s iconic Vidalia onions have returned to stores this spring, but this year’s crop faced weather-related challenges.

Aries Haygood, the co-owner and operator of A&M Farms in Lyons, Georgia, said the Vidalia onion’s sweet flavor comes from the sandy, low-sulfur soils of southeast Georgia, combined with the area’s perfect day length for winter planting.

Haygood said he's spent nearly two decades perfecting the art of growing Vidalia's.

“We grow on a sandier type soil," Haygood said. "We sit in a part of the country that the day length is just right for us to be able to plant the onions in the wintertime.”

This year, farmers like Haygood faced a slow start after losing acres of seed to the wet, cold weather.

“We lost about 100 acres worth of seed personally on our farm," he said. "We were still able to plant some seed to make sure that we had plenty of availability. It’s just we didn’t have enough earlier seed we typically have."

Vidalia onions are hand-harvested and inspected to meet strict quality standards, a labor-intensive process that protects the crop’s reputation. The 2025 season saw 10,000 acres planted across 20 counties in south Georgia, with shipments now heading to grocers nationwide, according to the Vidalia Onion Committee.

Haygood said while yields may be lower than last year’s unusually large harvest, he is remaining optimistic about quality.

“I’m very pleased with what I see. I was nervous that we weren’t going to size up, make the correct sizes that we need, but it looks like things have turned around,” Haygood said.

For those eager to enjoy the harvest, Haygood said he recommends a simple recipe.

“I chop them into big chunks, put them in a skillet, kind of like a hibachi style. I’ll cook them down to the texture that I want, then right at the very end I’ll throw a little butter on them, some soy sauce and a little bit of garlic salt. My girls love it.”

The Vidalia onion season runs from mid-April through early September, with the official “pack date” set April 15 this year by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

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The Vidalia onion is the crown jewel of sweet onions, defined by federal standards for its exclusive growth in a 20-county area of Georgia. Annually, around 200 million pounds are harvested, with 70% sold as premium items, creating strong consumer demand due to their limited availability. Retailers capitalize on this appeal with promotions and educational initiatives, enhancing brand recognition among all age groups. The anticipated solid yield for 2025 reflects the ongoing commitment to maintaining Vidalia’s esteemed reputation.

Vidalia onions dominate the sweet onion category.

Say the word “Vidalia,” and sweet onion instantly comes to mind. This mild-tasting, flavorful vegetable, discovered nearly a century ago by a South Georgia farmer, grew so popular it received a federal marketing order in 1989. This officially defined a Vidalia sweet onion as one grown only in a 20-county region notable for its sandy low-sulfur soils and ideal climate.

Today, Vidalias are Georgia’s No. 1 vegetable commodity, grown by 60 growers on nearly 11,000 acres annually, with over 200 million pounds harvested. About 70% of the crop is sold through supermarkets as a premium specialty item. Limited availability, which spans from mid-April to early September, adds to the sweet onion’s appeal, creating strong consumer demand and brand loyalty.

“Customers identify Vidalias as the centerpiece of the sweet onion category,” says Vince Mastromauro, director of produce operations for Sunset Foods, a five-store chain based in Highland Park, IL.

Shoppers also look forward to Vidalia season at Harps Food Stores, Inc., a Springdale, AR-headquartered chain, with 151 supermarkets in six states. “Vidalia onions hold significant seasonal appeal due to their unique sweetness and limited availability,” says Mike Roberts, vice president of produce operations. “We do some FOMO (fear of missing out) advertising on their availability and ensure that our younger or newer produce team members get an education on them before the season starts.

“The Vidalia season typically boosts category sales, as customers anticipate and specifically request them.”

The 2025 Vidalia onion crop is expected to be strong, with steady availability and good quality on par with previous years.

“Last year, we experienced an exceptional Vidalia onion crop, marked by strong yields and outstanding quality,” says Chelsea Blaxton Page, interim executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC), in Vidalia, GA. “This season, however, has faced weather-related challenges that initially impacted crop development.”

Despite these setbacks, Blaxton Page says the onions improve daily as conditions become more favorable. “Growers are increasingly optimistic, expecting an average harvest with a solid supply. We anticipate having ample volume to support sales and promotional efforts throughout the summer.”

The start of the annual Vidalia sweet onion season is determined by a “pack date” set by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. No onions can be sold as Vidalia before this designated pack date.

The start date in 2024 was April 17, but this year’s start date may be a little later, according to John Williams, director of sales and marketing for L. G. Herndon Jr. Farms Inc., in Lyons, GA.

Vidalia onions are available in three sizes: small (1 to 2-1/4 inches), medium (2 to 3 inches), and jumbo (over 3 inches).

“We will have a full range of sizes,” says Michael Blume, vice president of sales and marketing for Greencastle, PA-based Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce LLC. “We’ll offer 40-pound Colossal and Jumbo cartons and all consumer bags.”

Bulk, 3-, 5- and even 10-pound bags of Vidalia onions are on display during the season at Harps Food Stores, says Roberts. “We offer everything we can. We even carry all the extras like seasonings, Vidalia Onion Petals and Bloom kits, Vidalia Sauce, you name it. We want to give the consumer plenty of options.”

Both conventional and organically grown Vidalia onions are available. Over the years, organic Vidalia onions have comprised approximately 3% to 5% of the crop.

“When customers began requesting organic options, we responded by introducing organic Vidalia sweet onions to the market,” says Troy Bland, chief executive officer of Bland Farms in Glennville, GA. “For 2025, organic Vidalia acreage will remain steady at approximately 120 acres.”

Vidalia onions are distributed nationally and internationally and have a stronger presence in various regions.

“Georgia’s transportation advantages play a key role in efficiently shipping Vidalia onions,” says Steven Shuman, vice president of sales for G&R Farms, in Glennville, GA. “With access to major interstate highways like I-75, I-95, and I-85, shipments can reach key Eastern markets, such as Atlanta, Charlotte and New York quickly and efficiently.”

Georgia’s deep-water ports, particularly the Port of Savannah, also provide an essential gateway for broader distribution, Shuman adds, and the state’s extensive rail network and proximity to major trucking hubs “ensure that Vidalia onions arrive fresh and on time, helping meet demand with reliable delivery.”

Vidalia onions dominate the sweet onion category from a sales perspective, representing over 60% of sweet onion sales, says Bland Farms’ Bland, and that number continues to rise.

A big reason for this uptick is that Vidalias aren’t just your grandma’s sweet onion. True, 58% of Vidalia buyers were Baby Boomers or older, according to the demographics described in the July 2023-published research, in the Journal of Food Distribution Research. However, while Millennial and younger customers represented only 9% of buyers, this number jumped to 15% of potential buyers.

“Vidalia onions have strong brand recognition, particularly among older generations who have grown up cooking with them. However, as consumer demographics shift, it’s essential to engage younger shoppers — Millennials and Gen Z — who prioritize flavor, convenience and cooking inspiration,” says John Shuman, president and chief executive officer of Shuman Farms, in Reidsville, GA.

“These consumers respond best to edutainment — a blend of education and entertainment — through engaging content highlighting Vidalia onions’ versatility.”

There’s an even broader customer demographic for Vidalias that makes procuring enough volume, along with targeted merchandising and promotion, the key to maximizing sales and profits.“For ethnic populations, emphasize the versatile use in various global cuisines, showcasing how Vidalia onions enhance traditional dishes,” says Bland Farms’ Bland.

Bland says for upscale consumers, focus on Vidalia onions’ premium quality and gourmet appeal, promoting their use in recipes and fine dining. For value-conscious consumers, he recommends offering budget-friendly meal solutions that incorporate Vidalia onions, demonstrating their value and flavor. These shoppers also respond well to bulk packaging and promotions.

Retailers can sell more Vidalias by ensuring the freshest product is always on the shelf. Do this by promoting turnover and sell-through via high-velocity merchandising and promotion techniques.

“We encourage our retail partners to leverage the Vidalia brand to differentiate their onion offerings, increase basket size, and create engaging in-store promotions,” says Shuman Farms’ Shuman.

Cross-merchandise Vidalias in the produce department and throughout other high-traffic areas of the store with clear Georgia Grown branding to draw attention and highlight their quality, suggests Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in Atlanta, GA.

“Showcase them alongside tomatoes, peppers, and avocados for fresh salsa recipes, and place them near baking potatoes to inspire easy meal ideas,” he says.

Sampling and recipe cards can boost engagement, encouraging shoppers to experience their natural sweetness firsthand. “Since Vidalias are a limited-time seasonal product, retailers should emphasize a ‘get them while you can’ message to drive urgency and sales,” Kulinski says.

As for price promotion, Roberts notes Harps advertises Vidalia onions two or three times per month into July. “They are a needle mover in the ad flyer, both online and in the paper.”

The GDA is partnering with key Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast retailers to boost Vidalia onion sales as part of the Georgia Grown spring advertising campaign. This includes in-store activations, retailer-specific co-branded promotions, social media giveaways, and consumer engagement campaigns, says Kulinski.

“We also host Georgia Grown events featuring Vidalia onions to reinforce their premium reputation,” he adds. “These efforts will maximize seasonal impact, drive sales, and strengthen the presence of Georgia Grown produce in key markets.”

This year, the VOC is refreshing its brand with a new, user-friendly website and a dynamic social media campaign, says Blaxton Page. “We’ll highlight what makes Vidalia onions unique, from their signature sweetness to the dedicated farmers behind them, while sharing rich stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the heritage that sets them apart.”

As for grower-led initiatives, Shuman Farms provides marketing support to its retailer partners, including customized in-store promotions, digital marketing, and recipe development, says Shuman. “We continue to invest in consumer education through digital campaigns, social media engagement, and video content highlighting Vidalias’ versatility. Retailers can leverage these resources to create engaging in-store and online promotions that drive traffic and increase sales.”

This will be the fourth year that L.G. Herndon Jr. Farms will partner with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which benefits the nation’s veterans, first responders and defenders, for a promotion two weeks before Memorial Day and two weeks before the Fourth of July. The grower ships its Vidalias in co-branded 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-pound consumer bags printed with information on the back about the foundation, including a QR code.

Herndon also offers a high graphic-themed display shipper for retailers to showcase this partnership. Herndon Farms donates 5% of the gross sales from its Vidalia campaign, up to $25,000, to the foundation.

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12 of 33 article in Produce Business March 2025

Spring in Georgia means more than the return of flowers and butterflies.

It also means the return of the beloved Vidalia onion, the state vegetable only grown in South Georgia. Here's what we know:

When are Vidalia onions available in 2025?

On Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Agriculture issued a news release announcing the official start of Vidalia onion season is April 15, at which point they will start being shipped to grocery stores. Vidalia Onion Committee Chairman Cliff Riner said 10,000 acres of Vidalia onions were planted in the production region.

"Our farmers are dedicated to sustaining this tradition, and it's evident that consumer demand for Vidalia onions remains strong," Riner said. "We look forward to another successful season defined by quality and flavor."

How long is Vidalia onion season?

Vidalia Onion Committee Executive Director Shane Curry said Wednesday that there's not a hard date on when Vidalia onions will no longer be available. Generally, they grow enough to sustain demand through Labor Day (in September) but it depends on multiple factors like crop yield and weather. Last year, they were able to feed customers into November.

Were Vidalia onion farms hurt by Hurricane Helene, ice storms?

Curry said in the news release that their Vidalia onion crops had to undergo multiple natural disasters including a tropical storm, a hurricane, floods, and six inches of snow. But, luckily, the crop only sustained minor damage.

Where are Vidalia onions grown?

Under the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986, Vidalia onions can only be grown in a specific region in Georgia. It largely encompasses 13 primary counties including:

Parts of seven other counties are included, including:

What is the punishment for illegally growing and selling Vidalia onions?

Georgia Code § 2-14-134 (which is part of the Vidalia Onion Act) says it is a felony to sell a non-Vidalia onion as a Vidalia onion, punishable by prison time of 1-3 years, a fine between $1,000 and $5,000, or both. According to § 2-14-135, other violations of the Vidalia Onion Act could lead to a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation.

What is at the Vidalia Onion Museum?

The Vidalia Onion Museum is a 1,300 square-foot space in Lyons (just outside of Vidalia) with a variety of fun and educational displays illustrating the onion's role in local history, cuisine, the economy, and other facets of Georgia culture. Exhibits include subjects like "Pioneers, Problems, and Promise" as well as "Protecting a Name and its Fame." There is also a small gift shop. There's also a living exhibit with real Vidalia Onions growing just outside the front doors.

The Vidalia Onion also has its own mascot named Yumion who sometimes appears for scheduled tours, but otherwise, guests can always get a picture with his cut-out.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. It's free and open to the public. Guests can tour themselves or schedule a guided tour by calling (912) 538-8687. Groups of more than 12 are asked to call ahead. For more info, go to vidaliaga.gov.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email atmlegoas@gannett.com.

Despite some weather challenges, optimism persists on the verge of the sweet onion’s return.

Vidalia onion acreage should remain steady this year with nearly 10,000 acres in production, according to the Vidalia, Ga.-based Vidalia Onion Committee.

“The crop has faced some weather-related issues, such as Hurricane Helene, and we had between 5 and 6 inches of snowfall, which is not typical for our area,” said Chelsea Blaxton, VOC office manager. “However, growers report that the onions are improving daily, and expectations remain optimistic for an average season in terms of both yield and quality.”

In 2024, 6.5 million 40-pound boxes were collected thanks to optimal weather and exceptional yields, VOC reported. That was up from 4.3 million boxes in 2023, when the onions endured freezing temperatures and reduced acreage.

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms is ready to start shipping Vidalia onions as soon as the official pack date is announced by the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, said Sloan Lott, director of sales. (On March 26, the pack date was announced as being April 15.)

“This year’s crop will be a bit smaller in size and volume due to some colder, rainy weather during the growing season,” he said. “However, it’s shaping up to be a solid crop nonetheless and will be in line with a typical season.”

Growers generally ship Vidalias through Labor Day.

Lott said he expected prices to remain similar to last year.

“With a more typical crop size and steady demand, pricing should remain stable, ensuring consistency for both retailers and consumers,” he said.

Glenville-based G&R Farms will be ready to start shipping Vidalia onions in mid-April, said CEO Blake Dasher.

“The crop is progressing well, and everything is lining up for a smooth launch,” he said in mid-March. “Due to careful field management, we expect to have plenty of high-quality Vidalias ready for the market, right on time.”

The size and quality of this year’s Vidalia onion crop are looking excellent, he added.

“Jumbo Vidalias remain the most popular size, and approximately 75% of our inventory is expected to fall into this category.”

Medium-sized Vidalias will be the primary focus for packaged Vidalias.

G&R was able to cope with weather challenges, including Hurricane Helene and freezing temperatures, Dasher said.

“Through strategic field management, we were able to minimize weather-related damage,” he said. “In areas affected by early-season setbacks, we took proactive measures to reseed, allowing for a successful recovery.”

Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms will continue to invest in its infrastructure, marketing and sustainability efforts during 2025, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

“With the expansion of our operations following the Generation Farms acquisition, we are now better positioned than ever to serve our customers with quality, consistency and reliability,” he said.

The acquisition in 2024 has given the company the ability to increase its storage, packing capacity and overall efficiency, he said.

Shuman Farms also aims to educate retailers and consumers about Vidalia onions through its Shuman Farms University initiative.

“This year we’re refreshing our digital content and resources to take that to the next level,” he said.

Shoppers love Vidalia onions, but they need to know when they’re in season and how to use them, Shuman said.

“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in digital content, recipe development and in-store signage that makes it easier for consumers to incorporate Vidalia onions into their meals,” he said.

Expanding retail promotions, secondary display, and cross-merchandising strategies also presents an opportunity to increase basket size and drive repeat purchases, Shuman added.

When it comes to packaging, many grower-shippers have seen a shift in consumer preference for bagged onions versus bulk.

In fact, Bland Farms has doubled its bagged onion production over the past five years, Lott said.

“Bland Farms is well equipped to deliver exactly what today’s consumers want,” he said. “What used to be four baggers under the grader is now eight, running full throttle.”

G&R Farms offers a variety of consumer packaging options to meet the needs of both retailers and shoppers, Dasher said.

“For retailers, we provide bags, cartons and bins, offering flexibility in how Vidalia onions are displayed and sold,” he said. “For consumers, Vidalias are available in both bulk and bagged options.”

There also is a demand for organic Vidalia onions and grower-shippers are filling that consumer need.

“Consumers are increasingly conscious about their food, seeking information on sourcing and pesticide use,” Lott said. “We’ve always made it our goal to deliver what the customers want and keep up with that demand, so as a company we are committed to continuing to offer organics and grow our production as needed.”

The company has about 120 acres dedicated to organic Vidalia sweet onions that are packed in Bland Farms Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions bags, boxes and bins, he said.

Organic onions account for about 10% of the overall business at G&R Farms, Dasher said.

“While organic Vidalias remain a smaller segment of our total production, we are seeing steady but modest growth in this category,” he said.

Your next read: Vidalia Onions headed for shelves April 15