South Carolina Sweet Onions Are Now Available

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Sweet Onions are tasty, plentiful and available for a limited time.

The sweet onions were introduced to the public in 2010 with farmers growing just 60 acres statewide. However this year, due to increased consumer interest, South Carolina farmers planted more than 130 acres in Bamberg, Calhoun, Lexington and Orangeburg Counties.

“They’re a good crop, but here for a short time,” said Martin Eubanks, director of marketing with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in Columbia.

Eubanks added that as consumers are learning about and loving the South Carolina sweet onion they are incorporating them into recipes.

Sweet onions have a light golden-brown color and when cut open reveal a creamy white interior. They are perfect for cooking, baking or to garnish hamburgers and other dishes. Sweet onions are a winter crop, planted in the fall and harvested in the spring. Planting occurs from November 1 through December 31 and are harvested around mid-April to June. Currently the dried onions are available to purchase at grocery stores throughout the state.

Customers who are interested in purchasing locally grown sweet onions can look for the Certified SC Grown logo wherever they shop for fresh produce. If you don’t see them, ask your produce manager.

Since unveiling the Certified SC Grown campaign four years ago, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture has been working with farmers, consumers, retailers and others to encourage people to buy locally grown South Carolina produce and products.

For more information on buying locally grown South Carolina goods, visit the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s website at agriculture.sc.gov and click on the Certified SC Grown logo or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/certifiedsouthcarolina.

Source: South Carolina Department of Agriculture