Tearing while chopping onions became a thing of the past as Sunions, the game-changing new tearless and sweet onions, made their way into the hands of consumers across the country during their inaugural season of wide retail availability.
I was absolutely amazed with Sunions and now I am cooking them up like crazy,” said consumer Jeanie R. “They seriously taste like candy when caramelized!”
A product of more than three decades of research, development and natural hybridization by Bayer Crop Science, Sunions are a long-day sweet onion variety grown in the USA. But unlike other long-day onions, Sunions actually become sweeter and more tearless in storage. Most other sweet onions available during the Sunions window of availability – typically November to April – are currently imported from South America.
In its inaugural season of availability, Sunions racked up more than 1.2 billion media impressions in print, radio, web and television media including appearances on ABC’s The Chew and Good Morning America. The Daily Meal told readers “Onions that don’t make you cry are finally here and we’re crying tears of joy,” and Huffpost said “Put your goggles away people!”
Clip from The Chew
Partnerships with popular consumer website Buzzfeed Food, YouTube influencers “The Brothers Green Eats” and a series of videos posted to Facebook and Instagram spread the good news of tearless and sweet Sunions to nearly 4 million viewers.
Like the media, consumers joined in on the phenomenon and had plenty to say about their experiences. “I want to compliment you on the best onions I've ever eaten in my life,” said Rick S. “I can eat them like an apple.” “Because they are tearless, my children can help me chop, dice and slice them,” said Andrea D. “Just tried your onions and they are the best,” said Shirley I. “I have bought ‘sweet onions’ before and was always disappointed - I couldn't believe the taste of Sunions.”
Unique to the onion category, a sensory panel with full authority and power to determine ship dates follows a tightly-controlled protocol including both flavor and tearlessness. The panel released Sunions for distribution to the market in late November 2017, and the season came to a close in late April of this year.
Sunions are backed by a comprehensive marketing plan including point-of-sale materials, produce manager education, social media content and a consumer advertising and public relations campaign.
Contact:
Adam Brady
Tel: 912-541-7726