Monsanto Introduces a New Breed of Onion

by Nicki Gostin, Posted Feb 5th 2010 @ 2:30PM

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When we were kids you had tender asparagus in the spring, juicy peaches in the summer and crisp apples in the fall. Nowadays there is no such thing as seasons at the supermarket. Right now in frigid New York, you can pick up a bunch of bulbous grapes or ruby red cherries. And starting next week, if you live in the St. Louis area, you can purchase a new breed of onion called EverMild, which, as its name suggests, is a milder version of the pungent bulb.

This gentler breed -- which will be available in Schnucks grocery stores -- is being introduced by the giant company Monsanto, which up until now has been known (in foodie circles, infamously known) for its weed killer and genetically engineered crops. (The company is featured prominently in the Oscar nominated documentary, 'Food, Inc.')

"The EverMild was grown and selected to have a mild and sweet flavor," Danielle Stuart, a spokesperson for Monsanto's vegetable-seed business, told Slashfood. "They are very versatile, you can use them raw in a salads, or roast or grill them. They're grown domestically in the Pacific Northwest so they will be available in the winter months." Typically, sweet onions, such as Vidalia, are hard to find during that time of year.

To be clear, the breed isn't genetically modified; she cheerfully explained it was "developed using good old fashioned traditional plant breeding techniques." Kind of ironic.

Filed Under: New Products
Tags: evermild, evermild monsanto, monsanto, new breed of onion

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-05-2010 @4:34PM Lynda said... Well, I certainly won't be buying it...I will boycott anything that comes out from Monsanto - gmo or not....They've sued farmers....And their GMO seed agenda goes against all liberties...

Grow and support HEIRLOOM!!!...Buy seeds, and produce from your local farmers who support Heirloom varieties!....You'll be glad you did!...
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2-05-2010 @5:57PM Andi said... Absolutely hilarious that someone in Slashfood writes a positive blog about the company the same day WalletPop slams them:
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/02/04/monsanto-the-evil-corporation-in-your-refrigerator

Somehow I don't believe that these weren't modified...can you blame me?
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2-05-2010 @7:03PM ghanima said... I've got to say that I'm with Lynda about this. After having heard horror story after horror story about Monsanto's business practises, I'm in no rush to support them in any fashion. It's fascinating to see how their reputation in the food industry is turning off individuals -- I only hope the outrage that informed consumers have towards them reaches critical mass.
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2-08-2010 @11:49AM hilfy said... Although I am no friend of the bad things that Monsanto has done, someone needs to point out that man has been modifying plant genes since the dawn of agriculture. Initially it was on a macro scale and now it can be done on a micro scale. Sorry to say, but all your beloved heirloom varieties are hybrids which did not naturally occur.
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2-08-2010 @4:52PM Terence Leung said... .... and the big question is: Has Monsanto patented this onion somehow? Will I be able to pop one in the ground this spring and not get the onion police after me in the fall?
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