“Wada said, ‘yes we can’,’’ declared Fran Torigian, vice president of sales and business development for Wada Farms’s Eastern Division, speaking on how the company, most known for onions and potatoes, found its way as a year-round supplier of watermelons. “Wada entered the picture a few years ago in the Carolinas, when a number of their sweet potato growers approached the group, wanting to use watermelons as the rotational crop,” said Torigian.

Watermelon is a unique fruit with compounds that may have health effects throughout the body, supporting normal cardiovascular and metabolic health. According to a new comprehensive review of the scientific literature on watermelon, eating watermelon regularly may help promote health. This research paper, authored by Britt Burton-Freeman and colleagues from Illinois Institute of Technology was recently published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports.

The general melon market remains steady. Cantaloupes are in good supply with nine and 12 sizes being readily available. Honeydews are procurable in five and six sizes. Both are out of Mexico and Central America.

Whether a buyer is looking for full truckloads of watermelons delivered year-round to various distribution centers across the country or mixed loads of watermelons with multiple other items such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, butternut squash and  pumpkins, all riding on the same truck, and often loading at the same location, Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, can now meet that need.

Now in its 14th year of operations, Rio Rico, AZ-based Grower Alliance is heading into what co-founder Jorge Quintero Jr. said is a good watermelon season with normal volume. 

Big Chuy & Sons is joining with Tajín Seasonings for a promotion featuring Big Chuy brand watermelons and Tajin Seasonings. The bins will start distribution just prior to Cinco de Mayo and will be available throughout the year.