07/20/05 Onion growers promote their product

The Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee is kicking off a new marking campaign this week designed to increase local and national exposure for onions grow in the region. JONES "Our shipments constitute about 35 percent of all onions consumed in America between August and March." Marketing director Sherise Jones says the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion growing region is the largest in the nation. JONES "We plant on average about 21 thousand acres each year and those acres produce about 22 thousand truck loads of onions that are shipped all over the country." So when onion growers from across the nation attend the summer convention this week they'll visit onion fields and packing sheds and see how Idaho and Oregon do it. Jones says these large onions are great for cooking. JONES "You can use them in anything from a blooming onion that's fried to a stir fry. They are so versatile and they have so many health benefits." And as part of their campaign to increase awareness the onion committee is about to launch a new website, www.bigonions.com. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott