How sweet it is to be a fresh onion supplier.
These are the first words that flowed onto the page following my recent conversation with Troy Bland. It didn’t take long for me to realize that Bland Farms® sits atop a mountainous peak in a landscape of sweet onion suppliers aiming to meet buy-side demand. Placing quality and service above all else, Bland Farms is on a mission to chart a new course.
“What truly sets Bland Farms apart is our direct involvement in every step of the growing process,” Troy, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, began. “Unlike many in the sweet onion category, we grow the majority of our crops ourselves. In Peru, we are one of the only Premium Sweet Onion companies that operates its own fields rather than relying on contracted growers. Our hands-on approach, with employees directly overseeing production, ensures unparalleled quality and consistency—a reassurance our retailers value deeply.”
With over 28 years of experience in Peru, Bland Farms has established itself as an industry leader in producing Premium Sweet Onions. The supplier’s operations also span North America, with farms in Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and California, as well as Mexico. This strategic distribution enables Bland to provide the freshest, highest-quality onions year-round.
“Unlike others, our Mexican sweet onions never go into storage, ensuring customers receive a flat, sweet onion that stays fresh for two weeks,” Troy continued. “Additionally, our commitment to innovation and sustainability drives us to utilize advanced packing technology that surpasses industry standards. This ensures that our onions are fresher and of the highest quality.”
Bland Farms ensures success for its retail partners in many ways—consistent quality and year-round availability being one of them. By maintaining full control over its fields both domestically and internationally, the supplier is able to deliver a consistent product every day of the year.
Tailored customer support and innovative turnkey promotions are other examples of how Bland Farms appeals to the buy-side. Exceptional customer service is at the heart of the company’s approach. Bland offers services such as in-store display assistance, eye-catching point-of-sale materials and bins, and exciting promotions tailored to drive consumer engagement.
“Our promotions are designed to generate excitement and boost sales. For example, our Gameday Sweetness promotion in partnership with Big Green Egg offers consumers a chance to win a large Big Green Egg Grill, along with monthly social media giveaways and Game Day Sweetness recipes,” Troy told me. “Similarly, our Vidalia® Sweet Onion Gold Rush promotion creates buzz during the Vidalia season. Retailers can easily implement these turnkey campaigns or customize them to suit their specific needs.”
“...our commitment to innovation and sustainability drives us to utilize advanced packing technology that surpasses industry standards.”
Troy Bland, Chief Executive Officer, Bland Farms®
Perfect for filling out those displays, Bland also provides versatile packaging options to its partners, including:
Speaking of Vidalias, Bland Farms is known for its high-quality program. Its Vidalia Brands® products offer shoppers the iconic Vidalia flavor year-round with condiments, marinades, snacks, and more. Sweet Onion Petals, for example, offer retailers a healthier option to sell as these treats are baked—not fried—low in calories, have zero grams of trans fat, and have no preservatives or artificial flavors. To make the brand proposition even stronger, Vidalia Brands is also a certified Woman-Owned Business from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
With the kickoff of 2025, Bland Farms is already off to a good start for its sweet onion season. High-quality Premium Sweet Onions from Peru were available through January before Bland transitioned to its Premium Sweets from Mexico. These supplies will take the company into its Vidalia season, which begins in April.
“We’re hoping for another strong Vidalia season like we saw this year. Thanks to great growing conditions in 2023 through early 2024, we had one of our best Vidalia seasons which extended into October—a rare occurrence,” Troy pointed out. “Our commitment to quality remains steadfast, with advanced cooling and drying systems ensuring our onions stay fresh and flavorful. Additionally, our strategic domestic and international operations allow us to meet consumer demand with Premium Sweet Onions year-round.”
As far as volume, Troy added that sweet onions are always in high demand by consumers. With Vidalia sweet onions, in particular, there is name recognition that spans the globe. The variety is celebrated for its unique mild and sweet flavor, making it a versatile favorite in kitchens worldwide. This enduring popularity transcends seasonal boundaries, with Vidalias earning global name recognition and a loyal following among both consumers and retailers.
“The trust consumers place in the consistent quality of Vidalias has turned them into a must-have item, driving steady growth in demand year after year. Bland Farms has responded by expanding our growing operations, ensuring a reliable supply of Vidalias, and providing a similar Premium Sweet Onion year-round,” Troy said.
Bland Farms’ category benefits transcend its premium varieties and high quality. Aside from the valuable supply it provides to retailers, the grower takes extra care to improve its operations on the supply-side. From cutting-edge packaging innovations to smart shipping practices, the Bland team is continually asking themselves, “How can we do better?”
“Over the last eight years, we’ve reduced plastic usage by 32 percent and introduced e-bags with a smaller environmental footprint. Our 100 percent recyclable boxes further reinforce our commitment to reducing waste,” Troy elaborated. “By consolidating shipments of sweet potatoes and onions onto the same trucks, we’ve also lowered fuel consumption and reduced our carbon footprint.”
Within the past five years, Bland has also transitioned from 50 gas-powered forklifts to just 10, replacing the rest with energy-efficient electric models. This shift has significantly reduced emissions while creating a safer workplace for employees. Plus, the company’s recycling systems ensure damaged packaging finds new life, and Bland strives for zero food waste by using every part of the onion—whether it’s in industrial products, Vidalia Brands items, or as a natural fertilizer.
“At Bland Farms, sustainability isn’t just a talking point—it’s been a guiding principle for years,” Troy relayed. “As we look ahead to the remainder of 2025, we’re excited to share even more about the steps we’re taking to minimize our environmental impact and preserve the land that sustains our onions and sweet potatoes.”
As we look ahead to 2025 promotions, there are endless reasons to collaborate with this sweet onion grower. The produce aisle is ripe with opportunity year-round, and now is the time to visualize those displays. Just be sure to carve out a space for sweet onions. 
