The Vidalia® Onion Advisory Panel met recently to set the opening ship date for the upcoming Vidalia sweet onion season. The panel selected a start date of April 15th for Georgia's official state vegetable. The date is set as a general consensus among growers that this is the optimum date for volume shipments throughout the industry. While this is considered the official first day of the season, Vidalia sweet onions can be shipped prior to April 15th with a USDA inspection. The Vidalia growing region has experienced much cooler than average temperatures, as well as unexpected rainfall recently. This type of weather can delay the maturation of Vidalia sweet onions, but growers say they feel comfortable with an April 15th start date and the great season ahead.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
