REIDSVILLE, GA - The highly anticipated Vidalia® onion shipping season is finally here, and Shuman Farms is looking forward to a strong Vidalia season that will last until September. The onion provider celebrated the official kickoff of the season on April 17 with the first shipment from its Cobbtown, Georgia, facility.

“When April comes around, consumers are looking forward to seeing Vidalia onions in stores,” said John Shuman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They are as excited as we are to start the season and it was really great to see everyone’s anticipation as the Vidalias hit the shelves.”

The supplier’s first shipment of Vidalia onions were shipped to grocery stores and wholesalers throughout the United States and Canada during the first day of availability. As the company noted in a press release, Food Lion locations in Vidalia, Statesboro, Metter, and Reidsville, Georgia, were among the first to receive their shipments as customers eagerly awaited their arrival.

Ideal weather conditions during the growing period—along with the completed acquisition of Generation Farms in the fall of 2023—have positioned Shuman Farms for a strong Vidalia season now through September.

“With the addition of Generation Farms' assets, we have expanded our Vidalia onion program by 30 percent,” said Shuman. “Furthermore, our packing capabilities have been bolstered, and capital improvements to our existing facilities have increased our storage capacity by nearly 25 percent. These enhancements enable us to continue distributing Vidalia onions through Labor Day, ensuring a steady supply for our partners.”

In celebration of the start of the awaited Vidalia season, Shuman Farms took part in a series of events with partners Food Lion and Royal Food Service. The supplier partnered with Georgia Southern University (GSU) Athletics to host a season kickoff event at the Food Lion location in Statesboro, which featured an array of festivities, including appearances by GSU cheerleaders and the university's mascot, Gus, as well as an exciting giveaway with Food Lion gift cards, Shuman Farms swag, and more.

In Atlanta, the festivities continued on April 18, with Royal Food Service unloading the first truck of Shuman Farms’ Vidalia onions destined for foodservice.

“Being a family farm based in Georgia, it is important to us to share our farm-to-table story with consumers in the Southeast U.S.,” Shuman continued. “The event with Royal Food Service showcased our partnership and dedication to delivering excellence at every stage of the supply chain.”

Opportunities are abundant following the kickoff of this exciting season, so be on the lookout for more updates from ANUK.