VIDALIA, Ga. – The countdown to the Vidalia onion pack date is finally over, which means the sweet and mild Georgia-grown vegetables will soon be stocked in grocery stores across the nation.
The Vidalia onion season starts Monday as farmers begin harvesting and shipping out the produce on its pack date. The Peach State’s official vegetable will stick around in stores until September.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and the Vidalia Onion Committee selected April 13 as the 2026 pack date.
Officials say the pack date is carefully chosen each year based on soil and weather conditions to ensure the highest quality vegetables reach consumers.
Vidalia onions are grown in a 20-county region, and experts say their flavor comes from the area’s unique blend of soil and nutrients.
The onions are considered delicate in nature, so farmers have to hand plant, harvest and cure them.
The vegetables’ historical roots span back to the 1930s when a local farmer discovered the sweet onion. They’ve since grown in popularity, becoming a staple ingredient in kitchens across the county.
Now that the pack date is finally here, that also means the Vidalia Onion Festival is right around the corner.
The 2026 event begins April 23 and ends April 26. The festival schedule includes concerts, a carnival, an onion run and airshows with the Blue Angels.
For the full schedule of events, click here.
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Dining and Cooking