Interview with Falon Rufty, Director of Marketing & Business Development, Onions 52
Syracuse, UT | October 17, 2018.
Onions 52 Talks Organic Sunions
Q: First of all, what are Sunions?
A: Sunions are the world’s first tearless and sweet onion. It took over two decades of investment, development, careful farming and hard work to grow this game- changing onion .
Q: Are Sunions genetically modified?
A: Sunions are not a genetically modified product and are grown through an all-natural cross-breeding program.
Q: What makes Sunions tearless?
A: Most onions have volatile compounds that remain the same or increase over time, which causes watery eyes in consumers and results in a pungent flavor profile. In Sunions, these compounds do the exact opposite and will decrease over time, resulting in a tearless, sweet and mild onion.
Q: What do Sunions taste like, and how do you ensure quality?
A: Sunions encompass an incredible flavor profile that is consistently sweet, mild and crunchy. A tightly-controlled brand promise dictates Sunions must be certified both tearless and sweet before ever being loaded on a truck. Unlike all other onions, Sunions become sweeter every day they are stored.
Q: Where are Organic Sunions grown?
A: Organic Sunions are grown in Washington state, with Onions 52 being the exclusive grower for 2018.
Q: How many acres are you growing this year?
A: We’re growing 10 acres of Organic Sunions this year. We had tremendous consumer success with conventional Sunions last year, and we intend to continue this trend with our Organic Sunions.
Q: What marketing tools are you using to promote Organic Sunions?
A: Through consumer research we have found that millennial shoppers are more likely to try a new product that delivers a positive experience. When you think of onions, you hardly think of innovation or new ideas. Sunions are the first of their kind, and cooking with Sunions delivers a truly tearless experience. Our marketing efforts are top-notch, as they must be to make Certified Organic Sunions and conventional Sunions a success. Onions 52, BASF Vegetable Seeds and Golden Sun Marketing work together for all digital marketing efforts, in-store merchandising, promotional videos, social media marketing, tradeshow displays, and all things ‘Sunions’.
Q: When are Organic Sunions available?
A: Flavor and tearlessness sets the Sunions release date. Availability begins late fall and continues through the spring months, depending on supply. Be sure to visit our booth #4181 at PMA Fresh Summit and check out our new website, www.onions52.com, to learn more about our Certified Organic Sunions.
About Onions 52
Since 1977, Onions 52 has been known as the nation's leading grower-shipper of the highest quality yellow, red, white, sweet and organic onions. With growing/packaging partners in six states as well as Mexico, Onions 52 promises quality delivered 52 weeks a year.