Latest news with #CliffRiner
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vidalia Sweet Onions officially packaged, shipped to stores across the nation
GLENNVILLE, Ga. (WSAV) — Vidalia Sweet Onions are officially packaged and on the way to grocery stores all over the nation and parts of the world. April 15 marked packaging day for all growers of the unique crop. This day is determined by crop and weather conditions. WSAV visited G&R Farms in Glennville on packaging day. Cliff Riner, Vice President of Ag Production and Grower Relations, walked us through their process of clipping, cleaning, sorting and packaging. Riner estimated over 10 million onions filled one of their 99-acre fields. Of the 20 counties that are certified to grow Vidalia Sweet Onions, Tattnall and Toombs produce about 90%of the trademarked crop, according to Riner. 'We have a lot of demand. We have people begging for our onions,' Riner said. The sandy soil in Southeast Georgia is what makes this crop a signature Vidalia Sweet Onion, along with genetics, of course. Riner said when shopping for individual onions, make sure to look for the numbers 4159 on the sticker. That's the trademark sweet onion label. Between G&R Farms and their contract growers, over 1,000 semi-trailer loads full of onions are shipped out each season. 'That's just our operation. We've got Bland Farms and Shuman Farms of equal size and scope, so it's of big economic importance to the county,' Riner said. G&R has about 70 full time workers year around, not to mention the hundreds of men and women they hire through the H-2A program for clipping and planting each season. Riner said the demand for these unique onions continues to grow. 'We've got the I-75 and I-95 corridor right here in between us, so we can get these onions to the major population of the U.S. pretty fast and at a better rate than like a California onion or a western onion,' Riner said. 'I've been traveling before and been in an airport way off and I'LL have a shirt and it will say Vidalia Onions, and they all look at me and say I know that. It's very unique to have that kind of pride.' The Vidalia Sweet Onion season is expected to run through early September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
15-04-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Georgia's Vidalia onions are coming to stores near you
Spring is here, and that means you'll soon be able to spruce up your recipes with Georgia's own Vidalia onions. Why it matters: The famous sweet onions are only available from April to early September. Driving the news: This year's "pack date" for Vidalia onions is April 15, the Georgia Department of Agriculture said in a news release. The date is "based on soil and weather conditions during the growing season, ensuring that only the highest quality onions reach consumers," the department said. How it works: The onions are planted by hand, and are harvested after the designated date to ensure "peak freshness" by the time they arrive in stores, according to the agency. By the numbers: This year, 10,000 acres of Vidalia onions were planted in 20 counties across southeast Georgia, said Cliff Riner, chair of the Vidalia Onion Committee. Threat level: Hurricane Helene last year and the snowfall this year walloped Georgia's agriculture industry, but the Vidalia onion crop withstood the challenges with only minor damage, Shane Curry, executive director of the committee, said in a statement. Flashback: In the 1980s, farmers across Georgia began lobbying to protect their crop and the onion's name. In 1989, federal marketing order No. 955 established production and market research for the crop. The marketing order is administered by the Vidalia Onion Committee. Along with Georgia state laws, the order also protects the trademark of the Vidalia onion.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Famous Georgia-grown Vidalia onions headed back to stores on April 15
The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced that a famous native product will be back on the shelves in just a few weeks. Starting April 15, Georgia's own Vidalia onions will be ready for sale, bringing 'these beloved sweet onions' back to shoppers across the United States and 'bringing a taste of Georgia's unique agricultural heritage to kitchens everywhere,' according to the department. Vidalia onions are prized for their sweetness and versatility in cooking, according to state officials. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They're also only available a few months each year, with the state saying they're an eagerly anticipated seasonal favorite and kitchen staple. 'I'm excited to announce, in coordination with the Vidalia Onion Committee, that April 15 is the official pack date for this year's Vidalia onion season,' Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper said in a statement. 'Georgia's world-famous Vidalia onions are coming to a store near you very soon, and we are thrilled that professional chefs, home cooks, and consumers across the globe will soon be enjoying the incredible, sweet flavor of our Georgia Grown Vidalia onions.' TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta bagpiper killed while scuba diving; son who vanished 4 years ago found dead at home City of Atlanta to have all workers return to office, except 1 department Georgia Republicans want to limit early voting sites to just 1 location per county in revised bill This year, the onions will come from 10,000 acres of planted fields in the state. The Vidalia Onion committee Chairman, Cliff Riner, said the state is looking forward to another successful crop year and that 'it's evident that consumer demand for Vidalia onions remains strong.' According to the state, Vidalia onion growers worked hard to ensure success, even after multiple weather challenges, including Hurricane Helene. 'It was unexpected that our crop would endure a tropical storm, a hurricane, floods, and even six inches of snow—but that is exactly what happened,' VOC Executive Director Shane Curry said. 'Despite these unpredictable conditions, our crop has managed to withstand the challenges with only minor damage. We are eager to provide our consumers with the high-quality Vidalia onions they look forward to each year.' The onions themselves are popular as a matter of taste, literally. 'Renowned for their sweet, crisp taste, Vidalia onions thrive in a unique growing region spanning 20 counties in South Georgia,' according to state officials. 'Their exceptional flavor results from a delicate balance of specific weather patterns and soil conditions found exclusively in this area, creating an optimal environment for their growth.' The Agriculture Department said the onions are still planted traditionally for sustainability, meaning that farmers hand-plant, harvest and cure the onions 'using time-honored agricultural methods.' Once they hit the shelves, Vidalia onions will be available in stores through early September. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
