FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Isakson, Chambliss Deliver Sweet Vidalia Onions to Senate Colleagues
2,000 Pounds of Famous Vidalias Driven from Georgia to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) today climbed onto the back of a truck to help unload more than 2,000 pounds of Vidalia onions that were driven from Georgia to Washington this week. Isakson and Chambliss presented 10-pound boxes of the famous Georgia-grown onions to all 100 Senate offices.

"Georgia’s Vidalia onions are second to none, and Senator Chambliss and I are delighted to treat the folks on Capitol Hill to the best-tasting, sweetest onions in the world," Isakson said.

“Bland Farms produces some of the finest sweet Vidalia onions grown in Georgia,” said Chambliss.  “It’s a great honor to share this one-of-a-kind Georgia delicacy with my colleagues in the United States Senate.”

Attached to each bag of onions was Senator and Mrs. Isakson’s recipe for Vidalia Onion Soup as well as Stockbridge, Ga., resident Doris Wallace’s recipe for Vidalia onion sausage casserole. Mrs. Wallace is the mother of Toni Brown, Isakson’s state liaison. Also included were recipes for Vidalia Onion Dip and Vidalia Onion Pie from Senator and Mrs. Chambliss.

The onions came from Bland Farms in Reidsville, Ga., where Raymond and Delbert Bland have been in the business of growing Vidalia onions for three decades. The Bland family is one of the largest growers, packers and shippers of Vidalia onions in the nation.

Reidsville resident John Conley, Secretary-Treasurer of the Georgia Peace Officers Association, drove the onions from Georgia to Washington.

The history of Vidalia Sweet Onions dates back to 1931, when Vidalia farmer Moses Coleman planted onions that proved to be unexpectedly sweet. For many in the southeast Georgia area, this discovery was a major boost that helped sustain their farms during the Depression. Today, Vidalia Sweet Onions are grown on more than 12,000 acres in the fertile soil of 20 southeast Georgia counties. They’re naturally delicious “as is,” or as the secret ingredient in many dishes – from salads, omelets and casseroles to soups, stews and stir-fries.

###