South Carolina Sweet Onions are in grocery stores and at other retailers now.

In the third year since the onions were introduced, more than 100 acres of the onions have been planted, mostly in Orangeburg, Calhoun and Lexington counties, said Stephen Hudson, spokesman for the S.C. Department of Agriculture.

About 60 acres of the onions were planted in 2010.

The sweet onions are perfect for cooking, baking or to garnish hamburgers and other dishes, according to the agriculture department.

A winter crop, the onions are planted in the fall and harvested in the spring. The green sweet onions with tops were harvested earlier in the spring, and the dried onions are available now.

Among the stores carrying the onions are IGA, Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, Wal-Mart and Ingles. 

“They’re a really good onion, so if you don’t see them, just ask the produce manager to get them,” Hudson said.