The start of Vidalia onion season is almost here, and fans can mark their calendars for April 17, when the sweet onions are set to ship to grocery stores across the country.

The Vidalia Onion Committee noted that the Vidalia season starts around the third week of April and ends in August, and people are gearing up for another exciting season. With Vidalia season starting mid-April, six weeks goes through Memorial Day as consumers get into the swing of summer grilling season and the habit of summer cooking.

The onion marketing situation seems to be lining up well for the start of the Texas spring onion deal as some of the competitive production areas are close to clearing out their supplies, leaving a supply void to be filled by Rio Grande Valley production.

February is American Heart Month, or Heart Health Month, a time when consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables can prioritize their cardiovascular health.

Gumz Farms specializes in red and yellow potatoes, along with yellow, white, red and sweet onions, and packing and shipping year-round. Currently, Gumz Farms, based in Endeavor, WI, handles almost 20 percent of the fresh-market red potatoes in the state and grows approximately 40 percent of Wisconsin onions, positioning family farms as a leader in the Wisconsin potato and onion market.

The South Texas Onion Committee is currently seeking producer and handler nominees for Districts 1 (Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley) and District 2 (Uvalde-Wintergarden region).