For over a decade, OnionBusiness.com has been honored to serve the onion industry. From our inception, our mission has been clear: to build awareness about the challenges facing the industry while celebrating the remarkable people and companies that make it thrive. With this article, we say goodbye, reflecting on the journey that brought us here and the immense gratitude we feel for being part of such an extraordinary community.
When we launched OnionBusiness.com, we knew that the story of onions extended far beyond the fields. While growers are the backbone of the industry, the ecosystem supporting them is equally essential—a network of companies, organizations, and individuals dedicated to advancing agriculture, enhancing operations, and ensuring onions reach tables around the world. Our focus has always been on the business of onions because we recognize the vital interplay between growers and the companies that support them, from packing and shipping to technology and innovation.
Week after week, year after year, we’ve worked tirelessly to share the stories that matter—highlighting industry successes, tackling the issues that demand attention, and showcasing the incredible dedication of onion professionals across the globe. Our newsroom was driven by a deep appreciation for the industry’s resilience, resourcefulness, and resolve. Farmers face challenges like unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, and changing regulations, and we’ve proudly stood with them, amplifying their voices and advocating for solutions. Equally, we’ve celebrated the companies that develop cutting-edge technologies, ensure food safety, and foster connections that sustain the onion supply chain.
We’ve been blessed to work alongside some of the most talented and passionate individuals. From our loyal readers to our contributors and advertisers, every interaction has been a testament to the strength and unity of this industry. Your unwavering support has fueled our mission and kept us striving for excellence. Together, we’ve proven that when we speak as one, our voices carry weight, and the impact resonates far beyond the onion fields.
Unfortunately, 2024 has brought challenges that have made it impossible for us to continue. Unforeseen medical circumstances on the part of both owners have left us no choice but to close this chapter. Both Sherise Thomas Jones and Kathleen Thomas Gaspar, whose unwavering dedication has been a cornerstone of OnionBusiness.com, have been facing life-changing medical issues this past year. Their health and well-being are now our top priority, and we ask for your support in this time of need.
To assist Sherise and Kathleen with her medical treatments and to help facilitate the closure of OnionBusiness.com, we have set up a GoFundMe campaign. The proceeds will go toward their ongoing care, with a portion allocated to the responsible wind-down of our publication. We humbly ask for your generosity, not only to support Sherise and Kathleen but to honor the hope, love, and dedication they have poured into this industry for so many years. Please access the GoFundMe Account for Sherise and Kathleen HERE.
Sherise Jones (left) and Kathleen Thomas Gaspar (right) captured together in this rare archival photo for their co-authored book, “My Mom Invented Bad Food.” Over their 20-year friendship, Kathleen and Sherise built and operated OnionBusiness.com for a decade, working remotely from their home offices in Idaho and Colorado. In-person meetings between the two were a rare but cherished occasion.
As for the future of OnionBusiness.com, we have chosen to let the legacy of our past ten years speak for itself. We will not be seeking a sale but will instead work closely with our advertisers and partners to explore new avenues that can continue to uplift the industry. This decision was not made lightly, but it is rooted in our belief that the relationships we’ve built and the stories we’ve shared will endure in the hearts and minds of those we’ve reached.
To our readers, contributors, advertisers, and industry friends: thank you. Thank you for believing in our mission, for supporting our work, and for standing with us through the highs and lows. Your steadfast commitment has been a source of strength and inspiration. We leave with heavy hearts but also with immense pride for what we’ve accomplished together.
The onion industry is more than a business; it’s a family. And while OnionBusiness.com may be stepping away, we will forever cherish the memories, the relationships, and the impact we’ve shared. As the industry moves forward, we have no doubt it will continue to thrive, innovate, and inspire.
From all of us at OnionBusiness.com, thank you for an incredible decade. This is not goodbye forever, but rather, farewell for now. May the bonds we’ve built continue to strengthen and may the onion industry’s future shine brighter than ever.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The OnionBusiness.com Team