Vidalia onions officially back in season

Vidalia onions are back in season and harvest officially kicked off on April 21st, 2014. The original sweet onion will celebrate its retail debut with the new "V is for Vidalia" campaign that is going digital with increased social media efforts including a coupon and national food blogger contest on Facebook.

First discovered in the 1930's, Vidalia onions are the pioneer of sweet onions and Georgia's official state vegetable. Over the years, they have grown into a leading consumer brand bringing in around $140-million farm gate value to the state's economy annually and research reveals that over 90% of consumers are familiar with the Vidalia onion brand.

To launch the promotion and kick off the season in style, the Vidalia Onion Committee hosted a field tour for food bloggers and media on April 25-26, 2014. The field tour coincided with the 37th annual Vidalia Onion Festival; and allowed participants a behind the scenes look at the Vidalia onion industry, as well as provided one-on-one conversations with onion farmers. The bloggers shared their experience in real-time and consumers were able to follow along on social media at Facebook.com/VidaliaOnions, Twitter at #VisforVidalia and Instagram.com/vidaliaonioncommittee#.

With a changing media marketplace, the Vidalia Onion Committee isn't stopping at the field tour as the only social experience. Waters commented, "The peer to peer influence of social media is a dynamic environment for sharing recipes, tips and savings with consumers all season long."

To that end The Vidalia Onion Committee is also engaging food bloggers with the "V Culinary Challenge." Starting April 21 through June 10, bloggers will be invited to submit their own recipes online at Facebook.com/VidaliaOnions and starting May 1 through August 4, consumers will be invited to vote for their favourites. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500 and their bio, blog and recipe will be featured on the VOC's web site. Two runner-up winners will each receive a cash prize of $500.

To reward consumers who frequent the Vidalia Onion Facebook page during the month of May, the VOC will be hosting a weekly trivia contest and consumers will have the opportunity to win a basket of Vidalia onions along with other items.

Please visit VidaliaOnion.org for further information.

For more information:
Alison Eiler
Full Tilt Marketing
Tel: + 1-952-221-1031
Email: alison@fulltiltmarketing.net