Vidalia Onion Committee Launches National Consumer Contest
The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) is asking consumers to name their inspiration as part of promotional campaign entitled “V*Inspired.” Launched on the VOC’s Facebook page, the contest encourages consumers to share inspirational thoughts, stories, recipes, cooking ideas and more for a chance to win $500 and an additional $500 will be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.
The contest is scheduled to end on July 14th so consumers are encouraged to visit Facebook.com/Vidaliaonions.org for a chance to win and give back to the local community. In addition to the grand prize winner, there will also be two runner-up winners who will each receive $250 and an additional $250 will be donated. In addition, weekly winners will be selected randomly to win a 5 lb bag of Vidalia onions.
This year’s V*inspired campaign features two inspirational spokespersons, cookbook author Whitney Miller and the 13-year old cancer survivor, Lucas Hobbs.
Reality TV star, chef, cookbook author and Season 1 winner of MasterChef, Miller is the author of two cookbooks including her latest A New Southern Table. Today Whitney divides her time between her kitchen and her community where she devotes considerable time to local non-profits and charities.
Chef Lucas Hobbs was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January, 2015. He is now in remission but during his hospital stay he became inspired by the movie Chef and The Food Network. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked Lucas for his wish, he requested a food truck to feed the doctors, nurses who cared for him along with the pediatric cancer patients.
His wish came true and one event spiraled into multiple food truck events around Minneapolis that garnered national attention and helped feed thousands. In addition to hospital personnel and patients, trucks visited the local police station and a homeless shelter. Lucas appeared on Rachel Ray Show and various regional and national news outlets and Sallie Mae awarded him a $10,000 scholarship.
The VOC is taking the V*Inspired Campaign on the road this season with Chef Lucas food truck events in Minneapolis and Nashville. These events will raise funds for Chef’s Lucas’ non-profit organization, “Doing Good with Food” that serves pediatric cancer patients and their families via restaurants and chef-designed meal kits for cooking at home.
“Chef Lucas has been such an inspiration that we’re proud to raise funds to support his non-profit organization,” said Susan Waters, Executive Director of the Vidalia Onion Committee. “Our goal is to inspire a new generation of cooks and consumers while educating them on the versatility and premium flavor of Vidalia onions.”
For more information and to enter the V*Inspired contest visit Facebook.com/Vidaliaonions.org and click on the contest tab. The direct contest link is http://vinspiredcontest.pgtb.me/HGDHgs.
About Vidalia® Onions
Vidalia onions are the pioneer of sweet onions and Georgia’s official state vegetable. Grown only in the mild climate and unique soil surrounding Vidalia, Ga., they’re loved by chefs and home cooks throughout the world. Vidalia onions are hand planted and hand harvested each year, with sweet, juicy bulbs available seasonally from late April to late August. Vidalia onions, with their mild, sweet taste, are versatile and can be used in a variety of amazing recipes. These Georgia sweeties are also a low-fat, low-cholesterol and sodium-free way to get a healthy dose of Vitamin C! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia onions. The Vidalia® Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia® trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
