G&R Farms' Steven Shuman Discusses Southern Innovations Showcase

REIDSVILLE, GA - At the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Innovations 2025, G&R Farms will spotlight its premium Peruvian sweet onions—known for their exceptional size, beautiful golden skin, and mild, delicious flavor. To get the inside scoop, I sat down with General Manager and Vice President of Sales Steven Shuman.

“This season’s Peru crop is outstanding, and it’s the result of more than just great growing conditions. Through innovative farming techniques, careful handling, and sustainable practices that protect the land and resources, G&R Farms is able to deliver a consistently superior sweet onion. From the fields of Peru to our customers’ shelves, every step is designed to preserve quality, enhance flavor, and ensure a dependable supply of sweet onions all season long,” Steven began telling me.

He noted that the G&R team always looks forward to the chance to connect in person, whether it’s meeting new customers for the first time or catching up with long-time friends in the industry. SEPC, in particular, is a great opportunity to share G&R’s innovative work to maintain a reliable, year-round sweet onion supply. It’s also a time to share new learnings, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the mutual passion we all have for produce.

“Our goals for Southern Innovations are to introduce more buyers to the quality and flavor of our Peruvian sweet onions, strengthen our relationships with current partners, and highlight the behind-the-scenes innovation that makes our supply dependable 12 months a year,” Steven continued. “We’re also always aiming to learn from other leaders in the produce world—whether it’s packaging trends, sustainability initiatives, or retail merchandising ideas—so we can keep raising the bar for our customers.”

Steven and the team want attendees to walk away knowing that when they choose G&R Farms, they’re getting more than just an onion—they’re getting a product grown with care, backed by decades of expertise, and supported by a team committed to sustainability, flavor, and quality. SEPC attendees will see firsthand how the Peruvian program ensures exceptional sweet onions during the fall and winter months, bridging the gap between G&R’s United States Vidalia® harvests and keeping sweet onions in stores year-round.

“We’re proud to be part of a growing global network that allows us to keep sweet onions in the market 365 days a year without sacrificing quality. We’ve also continued investing in sustainable farming practices, from wildly successful water reduction trials to eco-friendly packaging, because we believe in protecting the land for future generations,” Steven added. “And of course, we can’t wait for folks to taste the difference a truly sweet onion makes—we think you’ll agree, Peruvian season is one of the tastiest times of the year!”

Southern Innovations will be here before we know it, so keep a tab open for ANUK as we report the latest.