Walla Walla Sweet Onions Pt 3
I’m Bob Larson. If you like onions, you probably love Walla Walla Sweet Onions that are currently being harvested in that aptly-named Southeastern Washington valley.Growers are reporting good size and taste this year as harvest is past the half-way point.
Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee Chairman, Michael J. Locati, says a newer variety, the Roses, are coming along nicely as well …
LOCATI … “Yeah, yeah, we have picked the Roses this year. Gosh, I’m trying to think of how many we raised last year, but probably by double, probably double the acreage, which is still small acreage, but you know it’s a growing product. We’re really happy. We did a new brand with it. Got a new label and everything out there and so it should be at stores that are participating, yeah, you should be able to find them.”
And, Locati says consumers have been saying nice things about the Rose …
LOCATI … “Yeah, they do, yep! Nice and sweet, they hold up a little longer than the yellows. Now they’ve got that little nice rose hue to them, so they’re pretty in salads and everything else.”
With a few weeks left, Locati says things are looking good …
LOCATI … “Yeah, like I said, it didn’t get real hot through June and even here most of July until now, so the crop that’s left still has some green tops so I think we’ll be able to hold out and shouldn’t have too many things burn up on us.”
Roughly 20 growers cultivate Walla Walla Sweet Onions on about 500 acres in the Valley. Harvest should continue through about mid-August.