JAN/FEB/MAR
2015
WATERMELON UPDATE
IF A CRISIS SITUATION ARISES, CALL 407-657-0261 IMMEDIATELY
NWPB Celebrates A New “Crop” of Queens!
NWPB would like to first say their sincerest
thank you to all of the outgoing watermelon
queens for their year of dedicated service to the
watermelon industry. We’d also like to
congratulate all of the state and regional
associations’ newly crowned “crop” of
watermelon queens, including National
Watermelon Queen Emily Brown from Illiana.
Get ready for a very exciting year of promotions!
Mark Arney, executive director of the NWPB
attended and made a presentation at the North
Carolina Watermelon Association meeting on
March 13 and 14 in Wrightsville, Beach, NC.
Organizers reported attendance was up from last
year with a good representation of North Carolina
producers and handlers. Arney assisted NWPB
Vice President Tony Moore with the District 2
Nomination meeting.This district encompasses
the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and
a portion of Northern Florida. Eight nominees (
four producers and four handlers) will be
forwarded on to the USDA for the four available
positions ( two handles and two producers). They
include individuals from all of the
aforementioned states. Those two producers and
two handlers appointed by USDA Secretary
Vilsack will serve terms beginning January 1,
2016.
This year we are making watermelon famous, embracing celebrity-style status and universal intrigue,
pitching watermelon packaged like the wildly popular gossip magazines we see out the checkout
lanes of our grocery stores. As Americans’ intense fascination with fame increases, and the foodie
culture cements its place among the ranks of consumers and media alike, watermelon steps into the
spotlight as a trendsetter, style icon and perfect pairing partner with a tongue-in-cheek delivery of
story-starters and our new recipe and carving releases.
The 2015 media kit features a gossip magazine-style cover entitled, “Watermelon Every Day” As the
“No. 1 source for juicy scoops,” the media kit features healthy spins on classic recipes developed by
our nutritionist Elizabeth Somer along with new carvings, health information, nutrition, and yearround entertaining ideas.
The media kit is already available online at Watermelon.org, with the physical mailing going out to
nearly 4,000 targeted media, food service, health and retail contacts!
NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD
1321 SUNDIAL POINT
WINTER SPRINGS, FL 32708
407.657.0261 office • 407.657.2213 fax
www.watermelon.org
JAN /FEB/MAR
NWPB Board Meeting Recap
2015
Heart Month SMT
In conjunction with February as National Heart Health month,
NWPB was able to capitalize on a great bargain: partnering on a
satellite media tour with heart healthy suggestions (at a very deep
discount). On-air talent Jim Morelli was based in a NYC studio and
filmed interviews with several television outlets and radio stations,
including the well-known show The Daily Buzz. The segment
reached over 150 markets, with a household impression of 80.9mm.
Other partners were Omega 3 Supplements and Jamba All Natural
Smoothies.
Pictured: New Board members being sworn in by USDA.
NWPB held its Spring board meeting on February 19th in
conjunction with the National Watermelon Association convention
in La Quinta, California. The meeting began with the swearing in of
new board members by USDA. Communications, marketing,
foodservice, and research programs were presented and approved for
the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
TJ Runyan was re-elected as the board’s president and Tony Moore
was elected vice president. Congratulations to the officers and new
board members.
Southeast Produce Council Expo
Viva Fresh Expo – Austin, TX – March 26th-28th
CPMA Convention – Montreal, Canada – April 15th-18th
NAMA Convention – Kansas City, MO – April 15th-17th
West Coast Produce Expo – Palm Springs, CA – May 1st-3rd
L to R: Juliemar Rosado, Picabo Street, and Stephanie Barlow
L to R: Juliemar Rosado, Stephanie Barlow, and Mark Arney
NWPB once again exhibited the Southeast Produce Council’s annual
“Southern Exposure” expo. This year, along with the retail and foodservice
workshops, NWPB’s Stephanie Barlow and Juliemar Rosado attended the
Southern Roots luncheon where World Cup alpine skier and Olympic gold
and silver medalist Picabo Street was the keynote speaker. Southern Roots is
the council's new leadership program for women. The expo drew more people
than ever before at over 2100 attendees, setting records for overall attendance
as well as for participation by the retail and foodservice sectors of the fresh
produce industry.
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE RECIPE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR DEMOS?
CHECK OUR FREEBIES LINK FOR MORE POS ITEMS AVAILABLE TO RETAILERS!
WWW.WATERMELON.ORG/FREEBIES.ASPX
“Traditions… a family BBQ, a game of horseshoes, and fireworks topped with an evening of canasta
and best of all a large slice of watermelon.”
-Rose F., California
#SparSpangledSummer
JAN/FEB/MAR
2015
WATERMELON UPDATE
If you’d like to receive the update electronically, please email:
info@watermelon.org
National Watermelon Promotion Board
1321 Sundial Point
Winter Springs, FL 32708