Before Hatch chiles ignite their seasonal frenzy with the Hatch Chile Festival and grocery store parking lots filled with chile roasters and eager shoppers, another regional favorite is taking center stage.
Hatch chile season might not officially begin until late July, but Melissa’s Produce says Hatch sweet onions offer retailers a flavorful head start. Available from late May through July, these sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley — where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
These onions are a summer staple, Melissa’s says, and they’re a smart way to build early momentum. While shoppers await the return of fresh Hatch peppers, Hatch sweet onions let retailers showcase the Hatch name and set the stage for what’s to come. Perfect for grilling, caramelizing and everyday cooking, they bring versatility and origin-based appeal to your summer sets, the supplier says.
They pair beautifully with Melissa’s full lineup of Hatch Essentials — like dried peppers, Hatch popcorns, hot sauces, salsas and seasonings — creating a cohesive in-store destination that drives bigger baskets and repeat visits, the release says.
“Melissa’s Hatch sweet onions are the unsung hero of Hatch season,” says Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa’s. “Melissa’s has seen steady sales growth year after year — proof that shoppers respond to the Hatch name, even before Hatch pepper season officially begins. For retailers, it’s a chance to spark early excitement, boost seasonal onion movement and lay the groundwork for a high-performing Hatch program.”