Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner, Gary Black announced on Monday 11 April, that the official pack date for Georgia's signature Vidalia onions would be April 25. The onions, which are grown in a 20-county area of Southeast Georgia, will be available in stores and at markets after that date.
Black said the goal this year is for 100 percent consumer satisfaction with the specialty crop.
The General Assembly, in 1986, authorized the commissioner of agriculture to set the season-opening date for packing and selling to protect the integrity of the crop and to ensure consumer satisfaction. Black said the date was recommended to him at three meetings with growers from the Vidalia onion production region.
“The worst thing we can do is start too early,” said Brett McLain of McLain Farms. “In the past we’ve done just that and have shipped immature onions and it has just about ruined our industry.”
Agriculture Department officials note that the onions are prized for their sweetness and mild flavor. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Georgia farmers harvested 268 million pounds of Vidalia onions from 11,200 acres in 2015. Value of production for last year’s crop exceeded 120 million.
Source: albanyherald.com