Riverbend Fresh LLC will see peak melon volume out of California in July, said Dennis Peterson, owner of the Kerman, Calif.-based company.
Riverbend Fresh is a shipper of organic and conventional melons, operating in various regions of the U.S. West and Mexico, he said.
Weather conditions have been generally normal this year, he said. Acreage of melons for Riverbend Fresh will be down a little, Peterson said.
“We have smaller plantings this year due to the uncertainty of the COVID crisis,” he said. However, Peterson said Riverbend Fresh is fortunate to have quality well water for his melon fields.
Variety trends are moving back to high-flavor varieties versus long shelf life, he said.
Riverbend Fresh is 50% organic in both melons and squash, with the ability to grow more in future season.
The company markets to wholesalers, retailers and foodservice distributors.
Labor is expected to be sufficient for needs, Peterson said.
“We are fortunate to have some of the same crews due to our location to the labor source,” he said. “We take care of our workers well and it shows in their quality of work.”
Peterson said he purchased another shed in San Joaquin last season to help with the overflow of the company’s new transportation and consolidation business.
