Vidalia onions were named Georgia’s official state vegetable in 1990, famous for their sweet, mild flavor, not only here but across the country. The Georgia Department of Agriculture refers to them as the champagne of onions with a slogan, “Often imitated but never duplicated, because you can’t call them Vidalia unless they’re grown in Georgia!”
Once again, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus is selling bags of Vidalia onions as an annual fundraising event, which they began in 1998. Since then, they have sold 350 tons of the popular onions. Vidalias come in a 10 lb. bag for $12 and a 25 lb. bag for $25.
Kiwanis member, Retired COL John House, says money raised from the onion sale benefits several organizations, including Open Door, Teen Advisors, Carpenters Way, Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, and many others.
“We have raised more than $270,000 for nonprofit organizations that make our community better,” said House, “Orders taken now will be delivered in early May.”
The club always takes pre-orders to know exactly how many bags they will need based on orders from Vidalia lovers in Columbus and the Phenix City areas. The bags are pay on delivery once ordered from any Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus member.
Only onions grown in a specific 20-county area in South Georgia, in low-sulfur soil, can legally be called Vidalias. Known for being hand-harvested, Vidalia onions are best enjoyed raw, in salads, sandwiches, or for grilling.
Other facts about Vidalia onions:
- They are a good source of vitamin C.
- Wrap each onion in a paper towel to absorb moisture and store it in the crisper drawer with vents closed. They can last up to 3 months this way.
- Piggly Wiggly was the first retail store to sell Vidalias.
- There is a Vidalia Onion Museum located at 100 Vidalia Sweet Onion Dr, Vidalia, GA., highlighting the history, cultivation, and culinary significance of Georgia’s official vegetable. For more information, visit their website here.
If you want to order onions, you can email John House at jmhouse6@gmail.com, or contact any member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus to order your favorite onions.
