2021 is the 35th Anniversary of the Passage of the Vidalia Onion Act by the State’s Legislature
ATLANTA, Ga. – The pack date for Georgia’s Vidalia onions will be April 19. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) made the announcement. The organizations are also celebrating the 35th anniversary of legislation that helped make Vidalia onions as popular as they are across the country.
The announcement means shoppers will soon be able to purchase Vidalia onions, which are only available for a limited time every season.
An advisory panel comprised of Vidalia industry members, state agriculture scientists and the Department of Agriculture determine the date each year. Soil and weather conditions are considered when selecting a date. This ensures only the highest-quality onions find their way to consumers.
“It is a special moment every year when we announce the Vidalia onions pack date, but this year we will mark the passage of the 1986 Vidalia Onion Act by our state legislature that played a defining role in making our state’s official vegetable an iconic brand recognized around the world,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “I am pleased to announce April 19 as the 2021 pack date for Vidalia onions.”
Vidalia’s Popularity
Vidalia onions have grown in popularity since they were first discovered in the 1930s. The Vidalia Onion Act established that only sweet onions grown in 20 South Georgia counties and produced from a specific Granex seed and packed and sold on or after the official pack date each year could be called Vidalia onions.
For the 2021 season, approximately 10,000 acres of Vidalia onions were planted, according to VOC Chairman Aries Haygood. “We are anticipating a good harvest, and consumers across the country should have ample supply throughout the season,” said Haygood.
The vegetable is hand-cultivated by 60 registered growers. They represent about 40% of the sweet onion market. The onions are sold in every state.
For more information on Vidalia onions, please visit vidaliaonion.org. Follow the season’s news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.