Category Leadership Awards: Onions

The National Onion Association reported that onion consumption is up in America, with consumers eating more than 21 pounds per person annually.

“Consumers are driven by value and simplicity. The opportunity at retail is to communicate a product’s value proposition to shoppers while also providing meal solutions that remove the guesswork from their daily meal occasions,” replied John Shuman, President & CEO of Shuman Farms.

He continued, “Sweet onions’ versatility makes them an important staple for every consumer’s pantry. Sweet and mild enough to enjoy raw or cooked, sweet onions are undoubtedly the most versatile onion available. If consumers limit their purchase to a single type of onion, sweet onions are the obvious choice and sure to pay dividends meal after meal.” 

“As the use of GLP-1 medications continues to rise and reshape consumers’ dietary habits, we anticipate grocery baskets will lean more heavily toward fresh produce over the coming years,” noted Shuman. 

Yellow onions are a top seller for Peri & Sons Farms, while shallots are gaining momentum. “We think it comes down to versatility. Shoppers are looking for ingredients that elevate everyday cooking without adding complexity, and shallots fit that need perfectly,” reported Kelsey Weingart, Brand Manager, Marketing. 

“We’ve hand-harvested our onions since 1979, and that hands-on approach means every onion meets our standard for quality before it reaches the shelf,” Weingart explained. “We also offer a wide range within the category, from onions to shallots to cipollinis, giving retailers and consumers the right variety for how they cook. From there, that same commitment to quality carries through to our packaging. Both our Earthbag and paper clamshell packaging are plastic-free without compromising shelf life. It’s all part of giving retailers and consumers packaging choices that match where the category is headed.”

She added, “We’re seeing more shoppers pay attention to fiber content, and onions are a great source of it. Value is also top of mind.”

Troy Bland, CEO of Bland Farms, shared the company’s unique approach. “Most of the industry thinks of an onion as something you grow. We think of it as something you build a brand around. The onion itself hasn’t changed. It’s already perfect. Our innovation goes into everything around it: laser weeders in our organic fields, the largest storage capacity in the industry with our purchase of the Vidalia facility, and an AI-graded packing house where we pack straight off the line, something we believe no one else in the industry does. Every investment answers to one demographic: the consumer.”

He continued, “We also treat the Vidalia Sweet Onion as more than a single purchase occasion. Through Vidalia Brands, that same sweetness and flavor show up as dressings, seasonings, salsas, and snacks across the store.”