Shuman Farms heads to IFPA Global with plans to tell its story
Shuman Farms heads to IFPA Global with plans to tell its story
Shuman Farms, based in Reidsville, GA, is a leading grower and shipper of premium sweet onions, best known for its high-quality RealSweet brand.
A family-owned business with deep roots in the Vidalia onion region, Shuman Farms has grown from a small family farm into a nationally recognized supplier, partnering with retailers across the country to deliver fresh, flavorful onions year-round.
“Shuman Farms is dedicated to driving produce consumption year-round by delivering premium sweet onions and creating innovative programs, from cause marketing and NIL partnerships to retail merchandising solutions, that inspire shoppers to add more fresh produce to their carts and tables,” said John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms.
This month, Shuman and members of his sales, operations and marketing teams will be heading to the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, where they will share the Shuman Farms story and talk about upcoming initiatives for the fall and winter.
“The Global Show gives us the opportunity to connect face-to-face with our retailer partners, share out story, and highlight the value that Shuman Farms brings to the sweet onion category,” he said. “We’re excited to showcase the innovative aways that our RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh premium sweet onions are driving department sales.”
Shuman Farms will be at booth No. 1133 and the team members are eager to talk with fellow attendees about its offerings.
“Our Peruvian sweet onion crop ensures a consistent, premium-quality supply that allows retailers to merchandise sweet onions year-round, bridging the gap between Vidalia seasons and keeping shoppers engaged in the category,” Shuman said. “This year’s crop looks good and we expect to have promotable bulk and bag volume through April 1 with no gaps.”
In November and December, Shuman Farms will distribute its special Feeding America sweet onion bags bringing awareness to food insecurity in the United States.
“About 73 percent of Gen Z consumers say they are more willing to purchase products that support causes they care about,” Shuman said. “They want to support brands that make an impact. Plus, as growers and food producers in the U.S., we feel it is our responsibility to shed a light on hunger in our country.”
After all, Shuman Farms is more than just a grower and shipper of sweet onions — it is a company that is committed to making a difference.
“Through our brands’ and giving back programs, we’ve raised more than $8.4 million to fight hunger and support families across the U.S.,” Shuman said. “Our goals are to continue to drive demand for sweet onions, expand our reach with the next generation of shoppers and share our story about being a leading, year-round grower and shipper of premium sweet onions.”
Elsewhere around the third-generation family farm, the energy is around its NIL partnerships with the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University.
“About 64 percent of Gen Z consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand endorsed by an athlete or an influencer they follow,” Shuman said. “These NIL partnerships let us meet the next generation of shoppers in the spaces they already care about — tailgating, homegating and college sports traditions — while tying sweet onions into the food experiences they love.”
Looking ahead, things look strong for the rest of 2025 and going into 2026.
“Sweet onions are a holiday staple, driving incremental sales during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s as families prepare traditional meals and entertaining spreads,” Shuman said. “Coming out of the holidays, demand shifts toward healthy choices in January as shoppers reset and focus on better-for-you meals. By February, sweet onions remain front and center as shoppers celebrate with event-driven occasions like the NFL Playoffs and the Super Bowl, where game day recipes keep the category strong.”
