From the heart of Georgia to tables nationwide, Shuman Farms blends sustainable farming, quality produce, and a deep commitment to giving back.

Shuman Farms is a family-owned business that has navigated decades in the sweet onion industry, headquartered in the heart of the Vidalia growing region in Southeast Georgia.

Its story began in the mid-1980s on a small family farm in Reidsville, Georgia, where the family behind the company first worked the land and learned the nuances of cultivating onions known for their mild, sweet flavor.

Over time, what started as a modest farm evolved into a recognized year-round grower and shipper of premium sweet onions, offering varieties that cater to changing seasonal availability. Vidalia onions, harvested between mid-April and late August, are among the company’s signature offerings, renowned nationally for their unique taste.

To ensure a consistent supply throughout the year, Shuman Farms has expanded its growing territories beyond Georgia to include Peru, Texas, and Mexico. The aim, as the company often states, is to deliver the best-tasting and highest-quality sweet onions regardless of the calendar month.

Shuman Farms has developed an intricate supply chain to support its year-round commitment. After harvesting by hand, its sweet onions move into technologically advanced packing facilities.

There, the onions undergo further drying, cleaning, sorting, and grading procedures to maintain premium quality standards. The farm also produces organic options to meet the growing consumer interest in organically sourced foods.

Shuman Farms sells onions under several brands | Image: Courtesy of Shuman Farms

Recognizing the importance of constant improvement, Shuman Farms continuously refines its sustainability practices, adopting methods to conserve water, protect pollinators, and ensure soil health through careful fertilization and erosion control.

The tractors used in the fields meet stringent emissions standards, and the company actively searches for alternatives to reduce plastic packaging. Approximately 60% of its products are shipped in fully recyclable cardboard boxes. These efforts reflect the company’s broad commitment to balancing agricultural productivity with environmental responsibility.

The family-owned nature of the business has fostered a strong internal culture, with an emphasis on employee retention and professional development. Many staff members have been with the company for more than five years, and Shuman Farms supports membership in industry organizations and continuing education.

Longstanding grower partnerships, some extending over 25 years, highlight a stable network and expertise that have allowed the company to maintain its quality and consistency over time.

Beyond the fields and packing lines, Shuman Farms demonstrates a deep sense of social responsibility. In 2002, President and CEO John Shuman founded the Healthy Family Project, a cause-marketing organization designed to help families eat healthier and raise funds for those in need.

Over the years, Healthy Family Project and Shuman Farms have contributed millions of dollars to various children’s charities. Through consistent collaborations with Feeding America, the company has donated more than 22 million meals to families facing hunger.

This focus on giving back has become a defining characteristic of the brand. Initiatives like shipping Vidalia onions in special Feeding America bags during key times of the year serve as reminders of how directly a purchase can translate into a meal for someone else.

The company is also involved in local community efforts, supporting litter reduction, volunteering at regional food banks, and raising awareness for causes like breast cancer.

Shuman Farms has also recently stepped into the broader cultural landscape through strategic partnerships with college athletic programs. Named the Official Sweet Onion Grower of both the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University athletic programs, the company has found a way to blend its agricultural roots with the region’s enthusiasm for college sports.

By participating in college gameday activities, from tailgate-themed promotions to interactive experiences on campuses, Shuman Farms introduces sweet onions to a demographic that values authentic local products and community engagement. These partnerships have become an avenue for culinary education, sharing recipes and preparation tips that can transform a simple tailgate gathering into a more memorable culinary event.

This strategy has extended beyond the football field to the produce industry’s trade shows and events. In the past year, Shuman Farms completed the acquisition of Generation Farms, expanding its operational control and increasing acreage devoted to Vidalia onions.

Such growth not only reflects the company’s confidence in the market but also underscores its dedication to meeting consumer demand consistently. At industry events like Southern Exposure, the company has shared news of these expansions, its enhanced packing capabilities, and the improved storage capacity that enables a reliable distribution of Vidalias through Labor Day, an achievement that reinforces its position as a leading supplier.

In addition to participation in large-scale industry expos, Shuman Farms has placed a strong emphasis on the concept of “edutainment”, engaging consumers in ways that teach them about fresh produce while making the process entertaining.

By producing content and offering interactive retail displays and digital strategies, the company seeks to help shoppers understand culinary techniques, storage methods, and the health benefits of produce.

Tailgating promotions at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show, as well as at college football games, exemplify this approach, making produce education accessible and enjoyable.

Looking ahead, Shuman Farms is gearing up for the upcoming New York Produce Show, a key event where industry professionals gather to explore trends and opportunities in the produce sector. There, the company aims to spotlight sweet onions for the holiday season, encouraging retailers to think about how these items can be integrated into festive meals.

This involves promoting enhanced in-store displays and cross-merchandising strategies, linking onions with other holiday staples to catch the eye of shoppers. The timing is strategic: as the holiday season encourages more people to spend time in their kitchens, Shuman Farms sees an opportunity to highlight how sweet onions can elevate traditional dishes.

The brand will bring insights into consumer preferences and how best to engage a Northeast audience that already appreciates quality ingredients.

The show also provides a chance to discuss its ongoing Feeding America bag promotion, a program that runs through December and helps provide 100,000 meals during the holidays. By aligning these promotions with the show’s timing, the company not only highlights the culinary potential of its products but also the community impact that comes from selecting them.

As the company heads into the New York Produce Show, it will likely continue sharing these messages: how a simple onion can carry stories of family farming traditions, community giving, and a collaborative approach to bringing more fresh produce into the daily lives of consumers.