Vidalia Onions: A History of Georgia's State Vegetable - Paperback

by Lee Lancaster (Author)

Author Lee Lancaster unearths the delectable history and classic recipes of the Peach State's top vegetable. The Vidalia onion may be small, but it's as sweet as an onion can be, and it means big business for Georgia, too. Officially christened the Georgia State Vegetable in 1990, it can only be grown in Southeast Georgia. Once sold mostly off a truck tailgate, Vidalia onions now produce an annual crop worth $150 million. And after years of perfecting and fighting off posers and pirates, Vidalia onions are presented as gifts to presidents, governors, close friends and relatives. They are hand planted and handpicked but worth all the trouble to produce the King of the Onion Rings. They are so good, they have their own Vidalia Onion Museum, mascot named Yumion, and a Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame. Vidalia, there's just something about that name.

Author Biography

Lee Lancaster works with the Georgia Department of Agriculture as a contributing writer for the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin. His "Georgie's Drive" is a feature about Georgia agriculture and rural history appearing biweekly since 2017. He also serves as a marketing specialist for Vidalia onions and coordinates the Baby Barn program at the Georgia National Fair in October. Lee attended ABAC for only two years and then moved on to the University of Georgia. He lives in Eastman with his wife, Keri and two children.