Latest News From California Westside Melons

Overall cantaloupe and honeydew volume for Firebaugh, Calif.-based Westside Produce should be similar to recent years, said Garrett Patricio, president of the company.

California melon shipments have come under pressure in recent years, with lower trending volume reported in the past five years.

The nutrition of the cantaloupe will take on new focus in social media promotion efforts of the California Cantaloupe Board.

The Packer is seeking input from melon suppliers for The Packer’s June 7 Westside Melon section. 

Sales of specialty melons appear to be headed back to normal after stumbling a bit at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Melons like it hot, but the lack of high temperatures in California’s Central Valley this spring will probably mean a later start than usual to the Westside cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew season.

Catch up on news and updates from melon grower-shippers involved in California's Westside melon deal.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Turlock Fruit Co. expects to delight consumers with high quality cantaloupe, honeydew and mixed melons this year.

Consumer survey data from The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2018 reveals cantaloupe is nearly twice as popular with women compared with men, and sales of the melon skew heavily toward older, high-income consumers.

Consistent supplies and an expected smooth transition between Western desert and Westside melon districts should set the stage for good promotion opportunities this year.

A handful of California’s Westside melon growers produce a variety of specialty melons for retailers who want to offer their customers options other than cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons.

When it comes to food safety, California cantaloupe growers are ahead of the game.

Business updates on companies and organizations featured in The Packer's California Westside Melons section

Melon growers on the west side of California’s San Joaquin Valley will start harvesting a bit later this season than in 2016, but they anticipate their usual high quality with volume similar to last year.