Latest News From Honeydew

Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons
Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons

California is expected have plenty of good-quality tree fruit, melons and other commodities this summer, though some items might get off to a later start than usual, and early volume on others may be off a bit.

Melon shippers collaborating to offer year-round supplies
Melon shippers collaborating to offer year-round supplies

The strategic marketing alliance will provide cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and mixed melons to retail, foodservice and fresh-cut customers.

Unpredictable weather adds to challenges but good volume reported for MAS Melons & Grapes
Unpredictable weather adds to challenges but good volume reported for MAS Melons & Grapes

Colder than normal weather in Sonora during periods in October and November could hold back produce availability in December, says Miguel A. Suarez, CEO of MAS Melons & Grapes LLC, Rio Rico, Ariz.

California melon shipments under pressure but new year brings new expectations
California melon shipments under pressure but new year brings new expectations

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

Garlic and grapes make a comeback in PMG top 20

Pummelos, oranges and strawberries maintained the top three spots on PMG the week of Jan. 11, but mandarins rose from No. 11 the previous week to No. 4, and cabbage, previously No. 12, moved up to the No. 5 spot.

COVID-19 pandemic continues to hurt Fresh Del Monte sales 
COVID-19 pandemic continues to hurt Fresh Del Monte sales 

Business conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic cost Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. more than $70 million in net sales for the quarter ending Sept. 25, hampering banana, value-added and fresh sales.

Ayco Farms prepares for offshore melon season

Ayco Farms Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla., is starting its 15th offshore melon season in November.

Honeydew exporter reports success with Hazel Tech product

Dan Andrews Farms, a Bakersfield, Calif., melon grower, has completed a program testing Hazel Technologies’ shelf life extending product on exported honeydew melons.

Brian Faseler returns to Legend Produce in sales

Melon grower and marketer Legend Produce, Scottsdale, Ariz., has hired Brian Faseler as a sales associate.

Honeydew hangs on to No. 1 on PMG
Honeydew hangs on to No. 1 on PMG

Honeydew melons maintained their No. 1 spot on PMG the week of June 15, while peaches and oranges shuffled to No. 2 and No. 3.

Honeydew melons take No. 1 spot on PMG
Honeydew melons take No. 1 spot on PMG

Honeydew melons knocked cucumbers off the top spot on PMG the week of June 8, with the vegetable falling to No. 4.

California's specialty melon sales pick up
California's specialty melon sales pick up

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

California's westside cantaloupe volume similar to last year
California's westside cantaloupe volume similar to last year

California’s 2020 cantaloupe volume should be similar to last year’s 16 million 40-pound cartons, said JD Allen, manager of the Dinuba-based California Melon Research Board.

California melon marketer expands exports with AgroFresh

Blythe, Calif.-based Fisher Ranch has expanded melon exports by extending the commodity’s storage window with the use of SmartFresh.

Grower Alliance uses Hazel Tech on Mexican melons

Hazel Technologies Inc., Chicago, has a partnership with Mexican melon importer Grower Alliance, Rio Rico, Ariz.

Cantaloupes, honeydews plentiful this spring, summer
Cantaloupes, honeydews plentiful this spring, summer

Cantaloupes and honeydews may not rank as high on the popularity list as watermelons, but they are consumer favorites, and grower-shippers say there should be plenty of them available this spring and summer.

Salmonella outbreak from Tailor Cut Produce fruit over
Salmonella outbreak from Tailor Cut Produce fruit over

An outbreak of Salmonella Javiana traced to a fresh-cut fruit salad from Tailor Cut Produce is over, according to agencies investigating the outbreak

Veg-Fresh opens La Quinta, Calif., office
Veg-Fresh opens La Quinta, Calif., office

Veg-Fresh Farms, Corona, Calif., has opened a sales office in La Quinta, Calif., to handle an expanding citrus and melon. Program

Salmonella cases in Tailor Cut Produce fruit mix recall rise
Salmonella cases in Tailor Cut Produce fruit mix recall rise

The number of illnesses linked to a salmonella outbreak traced to fresh-cut fruit from Tailor Cut Produce has almost tripled in less than a month.

Tailor Cut recalls fresh-cut fruit linked to salmonella
Tailor Cut recalls fresh-cut fruit linked to salmonella

Tailor Cut Produce has recalled its fresh-cut Fruit Luau, a mix of honeydew, cantaloupe and pineapple, after the Food and Drug Administration linked it to a salmonella outbreak.

Mexican papaya importer highlights food safety at Fresh Summit
Mexican papaya importer highlights food safety at Fresh Summit

Mexican papaya grower-shipper Super Starr International, Colima, is promoting its food safety programs and track record.

Turlock Fruit debuts orangedew melon
Turlock Fruit debuts orangedew melon

Turlock, Calif.-based Turlock Fruit Co. Inc. is for the first time promoting its Orangedew honeydew to customers and new potential customers, and plans to extend acreage as well, said Steve Smith, co-owner.

Growers aim at fresh-cut as shopper interest grows
Growers aim at fresh-cut as shopper interest grows

Fresh-cut melons are a newer target market this season for some Westside melon growers.

Cool weather sets back California Westside melon deal start
Cool weather sets back California Westside melon deal start

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.

FDA seeking source of imported melons in salmonella outbreak
FDA seeking source of imported melons in salmonella outbreak

The number of people with salmonella linked to fresh-cut melons shipped by Caito Foods has increased, and the Food and Drug Administration has released a list of hundreds of retail outlets that received the products.

Dan Andrews Farms adds melon varieties
Dan Andrews Farms adds melon varieties

Dan Andrews Farms LLC, Bakersfield, Calif., is adding two varieties to its melon offerings this season, said owner Danny Andrews.

File photo
Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew purchases

The likelihood of a watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew purchase based on gender and ethnicity.

Salmonella outbreak linked to Caito Foods fresh-cut melons
Salmonella outbreak linked to Caito Foods fresh-cut melons

Federal health agencies are investigating a Salmonella Carrau outbreak involving 93 people, linked to  fresh-cut cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon from Caito Foods, Indianapolis.

Sol Group offers summer supply with Kiss melons

Melon grower and importer Sol Group, Pompano Beach Fla., will be shipping honeydews and cantaloupes this summer, and a full line of Kiss brand melons.

Ciruli Bros. brings back honeydews
Ciruli Bros. brings back honeydews

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros. LLC will bring back its honeydew program this spring and is increasing its volume of bell peppers, said partner Chris Ciruli.

Mas Melons & Grapes redesigns website
Mas Melons & Grapes redesigns website

Mas Melons & Grapes LLC, Rio Rico, Ariz., recently launched a new website design.

Martori Farms stresses health, nutrition of melons
Martori Farms stresses health, nutrition of melons

As a family-owned farm that grows more than 100 million melons a year, Martori Farms, Aguila, Ariz., has a varietal mix that can meet retailers’ needs for any season.

Hazel Tech used in melons sent to Hong Kong
Hazel Tech used in melons sent to Hong Kong

Hazel Technologies Inc., Chicago, recently completed a trial of its shelf life extension technology on melons in the San Joaquin Valley in California.

Melon recall expands, hundreds of retailers pull products
Melon recall expands, hundreds of retailers pull products

A recall of fresh-cut cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon products by Caito Foods, Indianapolis, has spread to 23 states and hundreds of retail locations.

Westside melon outlook promises steady supply
Westside melon outlook promises steady supply

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

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UPDATED: Caito recalls fresh-cut melons in salmonella outbreak

Caito Foods, Indianapolis, is recalling fresh-cut honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon products shipped to retailers in nine states after health authorities linked them to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 60 people.

Santa Rosa Produce starts melon season
Santa Rosa Produce starts melon season

Santa Rosa Produce, Maricopa, Ariz., has started harvesting cantaloupe and honeydew from its 5,000 acre operation.

Domestic melon season getting close
Domestic melon season getting close

Growers around the country expect melon production to get started by mid-May as the import deal subsides.

<p>Super Starr International</p>
Super Starr honeydew season begins

Super Starr International’s imported honeydew season is starting, with supplies available through April.

Sol Group Marketing's Mind. Body. Melon. Pinterest board features healthy recipes and DIY projects using melons.
Sol Group takes melon health message to Pinterest

Sol Group Marketing, Pompano Beach, Fla., is encouraging consumers to keep their healthy New Year’s resolutions through a Pinterest board of health-focused content.

Port Everglades has been involved in a pilot program that allows once-restricted grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay to come into South Florida ports, says Ellen Kennedy, assistant director of communications for Port Everglades. “The program is working well and has been expanded to include citrus from Peru and apples and pears from Argentina,” she says. “In the pilot program, fruit can be shipped directly to South Florida and delivered to local grocery stores faster and at a lower cost than shipping through traditional Northern ports.”
Sol Shipping signs new lease at Port Everglades

Cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon importer Sol Shipping Services has signed a five-year lease with the Broward County, Fla., Port Everglades.

Texas A&M conducts cantaloupe, honeydew research
Texas A&M conducts cantaloupe, honeydew research

To understand changes in the melon industry - cantaloupe, honeydew and other varieties, but not watermelon - Texas A&M University is conducting a survey to gather information about all aspects of the indust

Super Starr honeydews ready to ship
Super Starr honeydews ready to ship

Hidalgo, Texas-based Super Starr International Mexican honeydew melons are now in season and available through March.

Melon supply should hold steady
Melon supply should hold steady

Importers are expecting steady supplies of quality melons throughout the winter season.