ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - “World-famous” Vidalia onions are on the way to store shelves around the county. Monday, April 13, marked the official pack date for the onions, so that’s when they were processed and shipped. The pack date is selected by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia onion committee.

Vidalia onions are known for their sweetness and crisp taste. The onion’s sweet taste comes from the soil they are grown in, according to the Vidalia Onion Committee. The soil must have a low sulfur content and be raised in a proper climate, giving the onions their specialized taste.

“It is a great day for Vidalia Onion lovers across the state and across the country as Georgia’s world-famous onions are heading to store shelves right now.”

Vidalia onions can only be grown in 20 Georgia counties. Legal protection for the crop was created in 1989 protecting the “Vidalia onion” with Federal Marketing order 955. The order authorizes production, promotion and marketing research to protect the trademark.

Onion production is centered around the city of Vidalia in Toombs County. The onion is also grown in Tattnall, Treutlen, Bacon, Bulloch, Candler, Evans, Appling, Jeff Davis, Wheeler, Telfair, Montgomery and Emanuel counties. A Vidalia onion can also be grown in parts of Laurens, Screven, Jenkins, Wayne, Dodge, Long and Pierce counties.

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