The National Watermelon Promotion Board’s spring and summer 2022 consumer program is going to capitalize on watermelon’s value and versatility benefits with a launch of a Use the Whole Watermelon 2.0. campaign.

The SF Market, a wholesale produce market that is home to 26 merchant businesses in the heart of San Francisco, welcomed California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross on May 20. She took a tour that showcased the critical fresh food infrastructure that The SF Market has provided for San Francisco, the Bay Area, and California businesses since 1963.

Weather has been the word of the month. There were record May temperatures in the East, the western part of the country endured a late-season snowstorm and the drought in the Southwest lead to fires in New Mexico.   

In the East the unseasonably warm weather and the Memorial Day pull are increasing produce demand, according to Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ.

“Harvest transitions are under way, yet not fully complete, and quality supply may require your truck to pick up in more than one region,” he said.

HILLSDALE, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Agriculture hosted the May 24 meeting of the Eastern Produce Council, here, at Demarest Farms, and as is in previous years, Jersey Fresh held a starring role.

Each year, the NJDA uses the event to feature its popular Jersey Fresh marketing program, now in its 38th year, making it the oldest state-sponsored program of its kind.

Berry lovers have a new reason to hit the produce aisle this summer. Driscoll’s newest flavor innovation, Tropical Bliss, expands its premium, high-flavor strawberry collection, which also includes Sweetest Batch and Rosé Berries.

Wada Farms got into the watermelon business five years ago, and a year ago it took a major step forward to expand the category by adding a longtime industry veteran to oversee the program.