CALIFORNIA - Whether consumers are looking to grill or eat their fruits and veggies fresh this summer, you can bet that onions are at the top of their basket. As California sweet onions move into full swing, how is this specialty produce item looking to make this summer one to remember?

As the teams at Country Sweet Produce, Peri & Sons Farms, and Tanimura & Antle recently told me, this year is full of great opportunities at the retail and foodservice levels for all things California sweet onions.

At T&A, VP of Brand Marketing & Communications Samantha Cabaluna shares that the company is ramping up for a sweet season with a Bold, Sweet Taste of Summer in-store display contest for its Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onions.

“California sweet onions are definitely special, with our Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onions offering an extra special bold, sweet flavor to summer cooking,” Samantha tells me. “Our varieties are unique and developed over decades from authentic Italian stock that produces an exceptional flavor.”

From fresh in the salad bowl, to hot on the grill, or even pickled, T&A is offering its Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onions from June through September. Retailers can contact a member of their team for details on its best in-store display contest, for their own chance to win with California sweet onions.

“Our sweet onion program started June 1st, and will run through the month of August,” Gina Pettit, Specialty Sales Manager at Country Sweet Produce Marketing, shares. “Our Bako Sweet® sweet onion is a true flat sweet onion, which makes it easy for our customers to identify and appreciate they are buying a quality sweet onion.”

Gina tells me that the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California allows Country Sweet Produce/Valpredo Farms to grow a high-quality sweet onion. Bakersfield soil is rich in essential nutrients for producing some of the sweet produce in the nation. The company continually develops exceptional growing methods to provide consistent quality and sizing that its customers can build their Summer onion programs around. 

“Summer isn’t summer without the taste of sweet onions,” Teri Gibson, Director of Marketing & Customer Relations at Peri & Sons, shares with me. “Our California sweets are globe-shaped and hand-harvested, so they always look great, display well, and have exceptional shelf-life.”

Available now, Peri & Sons sweet onions will run through June before its proprietary Sweet Sweet® program kicks into gear from July through December. This year will also mark for the company’s new tearless sweet onion, the Sunion®, available December through March.

Looking to bring your produce department to the next level this summer? Look no further than the special taste and appeal of the California sweet onion.

Country Sweet Produce Valpredo Farms Tanimura & Antle Peri & Sons