A
Vidalia onion is a
sweet onionSweet onion is a variety of onion that is not pungent. There are several varieties of sweet onion. Although all onions have sugar, sweet onions have a very low sulfur content as compared to typical onions. Also, the water content is comparatively very high...
of certain varieties, grown in a production area defined by law in
GeorgiaGeorgia is a state in the United States. One of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution, it had been the last of the Thirteen Colonies to be established, in 1733. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January...
and by the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Code of Federal RegulationsThe Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government of the United States...
(CFR). The varieties include the hybrid yellow granex, varieties of granex parentage, or other similar varieties recommended by the Vidalia Onion Committee and approved by the
U.S. Secretary of AgricultureThe United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...
.
The onions were first grown near
Vidalia, GeorgiaVidalia is a city in Toombs and very slightly into Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,491. It is the largest city in Toombs, but is not the county seat. Vidalia is said to be the named for the daughter of the railroad man who...
, in the early 1930s. It is an unusually sweet variety of onion, due to the low amount of
sulfurSulfur or sulphur is the chemical element that has the atomic number 16. It is denoted with the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element and as sulfide and sulfate minerals...
in the soil in which the onions are grown.
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A
Vidalia onion is a
sweet onionSweet onion is a variety of onion that is not pungent. There are several varieties of sweet onion. Although all onions have sugar, sweet onions have a very low sulfur content as compared to typical onions. Also, the water content is comparatively very high...
of certain varieties, grown in a production area defined by law in
GeorgiaGeorgia is a state in the United States. One of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution, it had been the last of the Thirteen Colonies to be established, in 1733. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January...
and by the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Code of Federal RegulationsThe Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government of the United States...
(CFR). The varieties include the hybrid yellow granex, varieties of granex parentage, or other similar varieties recommended by the Vidalia Onion Committee and approved by the
U.S. Secretary of AgricultureThe United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...
.
The onions were first grown near
Vidalia, GeorgiaVidalia is a city in Toombs and very slightly into Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,491. It is the largest city in Toombs, but is not the county seat. Vidalia is said to be the named for the daughter of the railroad man who...
, in the early 1930s. It is an unusually sweet variety of onion, due to the low amount of
sulfurSulfur or sulphur is the chemical element that has the atomic number 16. It is denoted with the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element and as sulfide and sulfate minerals...
in the soil in which the onions are grown. Mose Coleman is considered the person that discovered the sweet Vidalia Onion variety in 1931.
Georgia's state legislature passed the "Vidalia Onion Act of 1986" which authorized a
trademarkA trademark or trade mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or services from...
for "Vidalia Onions" and limits the production area to Georgia or any subset as defined by the state's Commissioner of Agriculture. The current definition includes:
- The following thirteen counties: Emanuel
Emanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469 . The county seat is Swainsboro, Georgia.-History:...
, CandlerCandler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 14, 1914, and ratified November 3, 1914. Candler County, was named in 1914 for Allen D...
, TreutlenTreutlen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 6,854. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,938 . The county seat is Soperton, Georgia.-History:...
, BullochBulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983...
, WheelerWheeler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 6,179. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,830 . The county seat is Alamo, Georgia.-History:...
, MontgomeryMontgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 8,270. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,060...
, EvansBulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983...
, TattnallTattnall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 64,444. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 23,179 . The county seat is Reidsville, Georgia.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, ToombsToombs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 26,067. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 27,820...
, TelfairTelfair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 11,794. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,366...
, Jeff DavisSee also Jeff Davis CountyJeff Davis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 12,684. It was named for the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. The 2007 Census Estimate...
, ApplingAppling County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 17,419. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 17,946...
, and BaconBacon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 7, 1914, and ratified November 3, 1914. As of 2000, the population is 10,103. The 2006 Census Estimate placed the population at 10,507 . The county seat is Alma,...
.
- Portions of the following seven counties: Jenkins
Jenkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 8,575. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,595 . The county seat is Millen, Georgia.-Geography:...
, ScrevenScreven County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037. The county seat is Sylvania, Georgia.-History:...
, LaurensLaurens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2000, the population was 44,874. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 47,520...
, DodgeDodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on October 26th, 1870. As of 2000, the population was 19,171. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,042 . The county seat is Eastman, Georgia.-History:...
, PiercePierce County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,636. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,881 . The county seat is Blackshear, Georgia....
, WayneWayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 26,565. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 29,046 . The county seat is Jesup, Georgia.-History:...
, and LongLong County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed August 14, 1920, and ratified November 2, 1920. As of 2000, the population is 10,304. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,300...
.
The Vidalia onion was named Georgia's
official state vegetable in 1990.
Federal definition of production area
In 1989, at the request of producers and handlers meeting the standards defined by Georgia law, the
United States Department of AgricultureThe United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
promulgated a Federal Marketing Order (CFR Title 7, Part 955) which included the following definition of the production area:
Beginning at a point in Laurens CountyLaurens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2000, the population was 44,874. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 47,520...
where U.S. Highway 441 intersects Highway 16; thence continue southerly along U.S. Highway 441 to a point where it intersects the southern boundary of Laurens County; thence southwesterly along the border of Laurens County to a point where it intersects the county road known as Jay Bird Springs Road; thence southeasterly along Jay Bird Springs Road to a point where it intersects U.S. Highway 23; thence easterly to a point where U.S. Highway 23 intersects the western border of Telfair CountyTelfair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 11,794. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,366...
; thence southwesterly following the western and southern border of Telfair County to a point where it intersects with Jeff Davis CountySee also Jeff Davis CountyJeff Davis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 12,684. It was named for the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. The 2007 Census Estimate...
; thence following the southern border of Jeff Davis County to a point where it intersects with the western border of Bacon County; thence southerly and easterly along the border of Bacon County to a point where it intersects Georgia State Road 32; thence easterly along Georgia State Road 32 to Seaboard Coastline RailroadThe Seaboard Coast Line Railroad was created July 1, 1967 as a result of the merger of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Effective January 1, 1983, The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad became Seaboard System Railroad as a result of a merger with the Louisville and...
; thence northeasterly along the tracks of Seaboard Coastline Railroad to a point where they intersect Long CountyLong County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed August 14, 1920, and ratified November 2, 1920. As of 2000, the population is 10,304. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,300...
and Liberty CountyLiberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 61,610. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 60,503...
; thence northwesterly and northerly along the southwestern border of Liberty County to a point where the border of Liberty County intersects the southern border of Evans CountyEvans County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia in an area known as the Magnolia Midlands within the Historic South region. A bill creating the county was passed in the Georgia General Assembly on August 11, 1914 and later, on November 3, 1914, an...
; thence northeasterly along the eastern border of Evans County to the intersection of the Bulloch CountyBulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983...
border; thence northeasterly along the Bulloch County border to a point where it intersects with the Ogeechee RiverOgeechee River is a long river in the U.S. state of Georgia. It heads at the confluence of its North and South Forks, about SSW of Crawfordsville and flowing generally SSE to Ossabaw Sound about south of Savannah. Its largest tributary is the Canoochee River...
; thence northerly along the main channel of the Ogeechee River to a point where it intersects with the southeastern border of Screven CountyScreven County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037. The county seat is Sylvania, Georgia.-History:...
; thence northeasterly along the southeasterly border of Screven County to the main channel of the Savannah RiverThe Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
; thence northerly along the main channel of the Savannah River to a point where the northwestern boundary of Hampton County, South CarolinaHampton County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 census recorded its population to be 21,386, with nearly 65% of this classified as rural. Its county seat is Hampton. The county includes two small urban clusters: Hampton and Estill . The name originates from Civil...
intersects the Savannah River; thence due west to a point where State Road 24 intersects Brannen Bridge Road; thence westerly along Brannen Bridge Road to a point where it intersects with State Road 21; thence westerly along State Road 21 to the intersection of State Road 17; thence westerly along State Road 17 to the intersection of State Road 56 and southerly to the northern border of Emanuel CountyEmanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469 . The county seat is Swainsboro, Georgia.-History:...
; thence westerly and southerly along the border of Emanuel County to a point where it intersects the Treutlen CountyTreutlen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 6,854. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,938 . The county seat is Soperton, Georgia.-History:...
border; thence southerly to a point where the Truetlen County border intersects Interstate Highway 16Interstate 16 , also known as Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway or State Route 404, is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Georgia, United States...
; thence westerly to the point of beginning in Laurens County.
In popular culture
- The 1999 album Oh! The Grandeur
Oh! The Grandeur is Andrew Bird's second album with the Bowl of Fire. The first track, "Candy Shop", was recorded as a demo track for the then-upcoming Tim Robbins film, Cradle Will Rock . Another track of note on this album is "Tea & Thorazine," which was inspired by Bird's autistic brother's...
, by American musician Andrew BirdAndrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Chicago and currently splits his time between Chicago and a farm near the town of Elizabeth in northwest Illinois...
, includes a song called 'Vidalia', an ode to the onion in question.
- "Vidalia", sung by Sammy Kershaw
Samuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
on the album "Politics, Religion, and Her". A song about a woman named Vidalia, with the refrain, "Sweet Vidalia, You always gotta make me cry."
External links