Harvesting Process

Harvesting typically occurs from late April through mid-June. The delicate nature of Vidalia onions means they must be predominately harvested by hand. To ensure consistent quality, the Georgia Department of Agriculture worked with the Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, a third-party crop inspection service, to create and implement the Vidalia Onion Quality Control Inspection Service.

Once they reach maturity in the fields, Vidalia onions undergo a nine-step process before reaching grocery stores.

• Undercut onions to unearth
• Cure (air dry) for 2-3 days
• Clip off tops and roots
• Bag in burlap sacks or bins
• Transport to warehouse
• Dry in industrial drying rooms
• Grade for quality
• Bag or box
• Ship