“Big, beautiful bulbs with golden skins, unmatched sweetness and the quality our partners expect all year long,” said Steven Shuman, general manager and vice president of sales for the Glennville, GA-based company. “Our goals are twofold: connect with new and existing customers and share the ways our innovative farming and sustainability programs help us deliver a reliable, premium onion season after season, 12 months a year.”

The team at G&R Farms will be at booth No. 401, showcasing freshly harvested Peruvian sweet onions at their peak.

“Visitors can expect a warm, welcoming space that reflects our family farm roots and allows us to speak with visitors one-on-one,” Shuman said. “Displays will feature information on our amazing 2025 Peruvian sweet onion crops along with visuals that tell the story from our third-generation farm to the Peruvian fields.”

G&R Farms is sending a cross-section of its leadership and sales team to the show — people who know the product inside and out and can have meaningful conversations with retailers, wholesalers and foodservice partners.

“Our strategy is simple but effective: listen first, share what’s new and find ways to build programs that benefit everyone from the grower to the shopper,” Shuman said.

The company’s focus is on enhancing the Peruvian sweet onion program with innovations improving quality and sustainability. “We’re consistently running seed trials to improve size, shape and shelf life, meeting consumer demand for eco-friendly options without compromise,” Shuman said.

During the show, the G&R team is looking forward to discussing sustainable farming advancements, packaging innovations and merchandising strategies that inspire consumers to bring more sweet onions into their kitchens.

“At Southern Innovations, we always gain new perspectives on where the industry is headed, what is being worked on and tested and how our own work aligns with those trends,” Shuman said. “The collaboration among sweet onion growers, even competition, inspires the entire category, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Networking is one of the biggest values of Southern Innovations and Shuman noted the company’s business has grown for three generations on the strength of relationships and the face-to-face conversations from the show often spark ideas and opportunities that simply don’t happen over email.

“A successful show for us means we’ve connected with the right people, shared the story and quality of our onions and left with actionable opportunities for the months ahead,” he said. “If visitors walk away remembering the flavor, consistency and care behind our product, and how we can help them meet their produce goals, it’s been a winning show.”

Nearing the end of summer, G&R Farms is excited about the exceptional size and quality of this year’s Peruvian harvest.

“Every season is important, but when the crop comes in this good, it’s something we want to share with everyone,” Shuman said. “We’re also energized by our continued progress in sustainability, with new initiatives that will make a long-term impact on both the environment and our customers’ supply chains.”

The company’s goals for the year ahead are to expand its reach with Vidalia and Peruvian sweet onions, continue refining its sustainability programs and maintain a steady, top-quality supply for its partners.

“We’ll achieve this through strategic partnerships, investment in on-farm innovations and by leveraging our decades of experience to anticipate and meet market needs,” Shuman said. “Southern Innovations is a perfect platform for introducing new ideas because it draws an audience that’s deeply engaged with current and upcoming fresh produce trends. The conversations here are in-depth and collaborative, making it an ideal place to share concepts, gather feedback and refine offerings before bringing them to market on a larger scale.”