NOVEMBER
2014
WATERMELON UPDATE
IF A CRISIS SITUATION ARISES, CALL 877-599-9595 IMMEDIATELY
MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NWPB$will$hold$its$Fall$board$meeting$and$
strategic$planning$session$on$November$14815,$
2014$in$Orlando,$FL.$
$
Texas$Watermelon$Association$will$hold$its$
annual$convention$on$November$788,$2014$at$
Embassy$Suites,$McAllen,$Texas.$Contact$
Barbara$Duda$for$information$at$
bcduda62@yahoo.com
NWPB$Staff$with$National$Watermelon$Queen.$
Attendees$sampling$and$watching$Chef$Poon$at$work$
@WatermelonBoard-=-NWPB-Social-MediaTo$remain$consistent$and$in$an$effort$to$create$a$
memorable$and$credible$social$media$identity,$
NWPB$has$refreshed$branding$on$its$social$
media$channels.$From$now$on$all$of$NWPB’s$
social$posts$and$updates$will$come$from$
@WatermelonBoard.$After$a$comprehensive$
review$of$NWPB’s$social$media$presence,$we$
quickly$decided$to$unite$each$social$media$
channel$by$identifying$as$“Watermelon$Board,”$
says$Stephanie$Barlow,$Director$of$PR$&$Social$
Media.$“It$embraces$our$position$as$a$top$
resource$on$watermelon$and$is$easily$
recognizable$from$channel$to$channel.”$
$
NWPB$social$media$efforts$encourage$
consumers$to$enjoy$watermelon$year8round$at$
Facebook$(Facebook.com/watermelonboard),$
Twitter$(@watermelonboard,$
Twitter.com/watermelonboard),$Pinterest$
(Pinterest.com/watermelonboard),$Instagram$
(Instagram.com/watermelonboard)$and$
YouTube$(Youtube.com/watermelonboard).$
-
Members$from$the$$USDA$Agriculture$Marketing$Service$
department$also$stopped$by$the$booth.$
Chef$Poon,$and$Chef’s$Apprentice$Andrea,$with$the$Illiana,$
National,$Alabama,$and$South$Carolina$watermelon$queens.$
Chef$Joe$Poon$hard$at$work!$
Attendees$were$able$to$sample$smoothies,$dippers,$and$salsa$
(not$pictured)$
The$PMA$Fresh$Summit$returned$to$Anaheim$again$this$year.$Fresh$Summit$had$a$record8
breaking$attendance$with$more$than$22,400$attendees$on$the$show$floor$this$year,$as$
there$was$a$lot$to$see$and$be$seen.$Chef$Joe$Poon$amazed$yet$again$with$his$watermelon$
carvings.$With$the$assistance$of$Chiquita,$Cal8Giant,$and$Van$Groningen$&$Sons,$our$booth$
featured$a$variety$of$watermelon$recipes$to$sample.$This$year,$NWPB$participated$in$the$
#TeamFreshSummit$outreach$hosted$by$KitchenPlay.$Food$bloggers$and$influencers$
visited$our$booth$to$taste$recipes$and$gather$tips$and$health$information$in$the$name$of$
watermelon$all$while$live8tweeting$and$using$the$#eatmorewatermelon$message.$We$had$
an$impressive$reach$of$almost$160,000$impression$in$just$two$days!$NWPB$staffers$were$
also$able$to$make$great$connections$with$retailers$and$buyers,$giving$them$tips$and$POS$
materials$to$help$push$the$sale$of$watermelon$year8round.$NWPB$was$also$able$to$visit$
with$representatives$from$USDA.$Our$reception$was$another$hit.$Many$thanks$again$to$our$
wonderful$sponsors!$
$
NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD
NOVEMBER
2014
Watermelon at the Marine Corps Marathon!
Watermelon,$watermelon,$everywhere!$NWPB$and$the$National$Watermelon$Association$(NWA)$once$
again$participated$as$a$sponsor,$exhibitor,$runner$and$rehydrator$during$the$Marine$Corps$Marathon$
(MCM)$events$in$late$October.$The$staff$of$the$National$Watermelon$Promotion$Board,$the$watermelon$
mascot$J.$Slice,$the$National$Watermelon$Queen,$and$each$and$every$regional$Watermelon$Queen$
traveled$to$DC$to$pitch$in.$
The$weekend$included$a$38day$expo$at$the$DC$armory$and$a$kids$run$at$the$pentagon$parking$lot.$To$that$
end,$NWPB$is$sponsoring$five$“Jump$with$Jill”$shows$–$a$music8based$health$program$–$next$spring$for$
five$local$schools$that$had$the$most$participation$and$won$the$“Healthy$School$Award.”$During$the$
event,$watermelon$queens$met$with$families$and$handed$out$1,200$pounds$of$fresh$watermelon$slices.$
At$the$Mascot$Games,$J.$Slice$joined$the$Marine$Corps’$bulldogs$Miles$and$Molly$and$others$to$compete$
in$the$1008yard$dash.$$
$
Known$as$the$“People’s$Marathon”$and$the$third$largest$marathon$in$the$U.S.,$more$than$30,000$athletes$
participated$in$the$Marine$Corps$Marathon$this$year.$On$Sunday$at$the$MCM$Finish$Festival$in$Rosslyn,$
Va.,$NWPB$served$48,000$samples$of$refreshing$watermelon$to$athletes$and$their$supporters.$NWPB$
would$like$to$give$a$big$THANK$YOU$to$NWA’s$partnership$that$has$continued$to$make$this$event$a$huge$
success$for$the$watermelon$industry.$
$
Retailer Training Videos in Production!
The$NWPB$is$in$production$on$a$set$of$new$training$videos$to$be$distributed$through$its$YouTube$to$the$produce$clerks$that$handle$
watermelon.$The$videos$are$aimed$at$training$in8store$produce$department$personnel$on$the$proper$care$and$handling$of$watermelon.$The$
videos$are$only$90$seconds$long$and$are$designed$to$give$information$to$produce$clerks$in$a$quick$and$easy$fashion.$Topics$such$as$tips$on$
how$to$select$watermelon$will$be$included.$If$you$would$like$more$information$on$when$these$videos$will$be$live,$please$feel$free$to$email$
Marketing$Communications$Manager$Juliemar$Rosado$at$jrosado@watermelon.org.$$
-
DID YOU KNOW THAT OUR MEDIA KIT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE ANYTIME AT
WATERMELON.ORG? DOWNLOAD THE LATEST RECIPES & CARVINGS TODAY!
“Say YES to watermelon!”
-Eva J., Facebook post
#watermelonrules
As#a#leader#in#the#corrugated#packaging#industry,#International#Paper#safeguards#the#
delivery#and#enhances#the#appeal#of#millions#of#products#every#day.#International#Paper#
offers#innovative#packaging#solutions#to#meet#the#needs#of#those#in#the#farming#and#
agriculture#sector.#Furthermore,#the#innovations#in#display#ready#packaging,#wax>free#
packaging,#and#high#performance#bulk#packaging#help#
ensure#fresh#fruits#and#vegetables#arrive#at#market#in#the#
best#condition.#Together,#with#over#40#years#of#
experience#in#bulk#packaging#International#Paper#and#its#
Tri>Wall#brand#will#offer#a#"system>wide"#approach#to#
bring#value,#innovation,#and#service#to#customers.#In#
addition,#with#various#print#and#graphic#options#
International#Paper#can#meet#the#needs#of#retailers#as#
they#focus#on#drawing#customers#to#their#products.#
#
The#vegetable#seed#business#of#Bayer#CropScience#
operates#under#the#name#of#Nunhems.#Nunhems#is#
the#global#specialist#in#vegetable#genetics#and#
services.#As#a#globally#integrated#group#of#teams#
Nunhems#builds#unique#customer#relationships#and#
shares#products,#concepts#and#expertise#with#the#
professional#horticultural#
production#industry#and#supply#
chain.#The#portfolio#of#
Nunhems#consists#of#2,500#
varieties#in#28#vegetable#crops,#
including#leading#varieties#of#
carrot,#cucumber,#leek,#lettuce,#melon,#onion,#pepper,#tomato#and#
watermelon.#With#more#than#1,600#employees,#Nunhems#is#
present#in#all#major#vegetable#production#areas#in#the#world.#
More#information#about#Nunhems#at#www.nunhemsusa.com.#
CHEP#is#a#leading#provider#of#pallet#and#container#
pooling#services#for#
the#Aerospace,#Automotive,#Chemical,#Consumer#
Goods,#Fresh#Food#and#Manufacturing#industries.#
• CHEP#provides#equipment#pooling#which#is#the#
shared#use#of#high#quality#standard#pallets#and#containers#by#multiple#customers.#
• CHEP#offers#outstanding,#environmentally#friendly#logistics#solutions#to#customers#to#
help#protect#their#products#as#they#move#through#the#supply#chain,#by#combining#
superior#technology,#decades#of#experience#and#an#unmatched#asset#base.#
• CHEP#has#more#than#7,000#employees,#serving#500,000#customer#touch#points#from#
offices#in#over#50#countries.#
• CHEP#and#our#employees#have#a#long#standing#commitment#to#the#communities#that#
we#live#and#work#in#and#are#proud#to#provide#financial#assistance#and#employee#
volunteers#through#local#programs.#
CHEP#works#with#our#customers#every#day#to#create#cost>effective#supply#chain#
solutions.#
We#listen#to#our#customer's#needs,#we#understand#their#goals#and#objectives#and#we#
provide#practical#advice#and#services,#tailored#to#their#needs.#CHEP#is#proud#to#serve#
over#300,000#customers#across#the#globe#from#owner>operators#to#multinational#
corporations,#across#a#range#of#industries.#
Protect.#Promote.#Deliver.#
Your#packaging#must#do#more#than#protect#your#product;#it#should#boost#your#visibility#and#deliver#bottom#line#
savings#to#your#customers.#At#RockTenn,#our#team#of#professionals#can#assist#you#in#choosing#the#best#options#for#
your#watermelon#bulk#bin#packaging#needs#to#ensure#your#produce#arrives#safely,#markets#your#brand,#and#
delivers#value.#
Advantages:#
•
•
•
•
Increased$brand$awareness$and$added$visual$impact.$
Product$protection$to$ensure$more$sellable$product$and$fewer$“throwaways.”$
Using$corrugated$watermelon$bins$decreases$overall$supply$chain$costs$by$almost$20%.*$
Corrugated$bins$are$true,$multi8purpose$containers$that$are$reusable,$“repurpose8able,”$and$
recyclable.$
*Source:))www.corrugated.org,)“Watermelon)Case)Study.”)
The#Full#Count®#companion#transplant#program#from#Syngenta#takes#the#
guesswork#out#of#your#seed#purchase#and#can#help#increase#the#efficiency#of#
your#operations#and#reduce#labor#costs#by#making#the#transplant#process#
faster,#easier#and#more#cost>efficient.#By#combining#the#best#Syngenta#
patented#technologies#with#industry>leading#seedless#watermelon#varieties#
and#Super#PollenizerTM#varieties#into#one#transplant#operation,#we#are#
redefining#the#way#the#industry#transplants#watermelons.#
The#Full#Count#Deuces#companion#trays#come#pre>set#with#a#3:1#seedless#to#
pollenizer#ratio,#making#transplanting#quick#and#
efficient#with#no#mix#ups.#The#Full#Count#Duals#
companion#trays,#the#latest#evolution#in#transplant#
methods,#also#have#a#3:1#seedless#to#pollenizer#ratio#
but#deliver#two#different#pollenizers#with#50#percent#
being#SP>6,#which#provides#more#multiple#branches#
than#its#
predecessors#and#
hardier#transplants,#
Full Count Deuces transplant plug
and#50#percent#
being#
marketable#seeded#watermelons.#
Most#important,#you#get#the#expertise#of#
the#Full#Count#team#and#customer#
service#you#can#depend#on#—#
satisfaction#guaranteed.#
#
Watermelon Portfolio and Full Count Watermelon Transplant Program
#
Ayco#is#one#of#the#largest#vertically#
integrated#grower/packer/shipper#from#
Central#America.#Production#areas#include#
Guatemala,#Honduras,#USA,#Mexico#and#a#
new#growing#operation#in#Costa#Rica.#
Ayco#ships#over#5,000#truckloads#of#
Melons#per#year.#Consumer#interest#
continues#driving#our#expansion#with#new#
offices#in#Central#Mexico#and#McAllen,#Texas.##Ayco#is#committed#to#
continuing#its#focus#and#execution#on#all#aspects#of#food#safety#and#
quality#assurance.#Our#new#
facility#in#Pompano#Beach#holds#
over#3,000#pallets#position.#The#
building#includes#Pre#Coolers#
and#Ripening#rooms.#Please#
join#us#at#our#booth##2978#to#
hear#more#about#our#NEW#
direction#and#our#marketing#
programs.
Team – Syngenta, North America Back (left to right): Chris Faull, Dean
Liere, Colin Coltrane, David Baquerizo Front (left to right): Clegg Smith,
Craig Mathis, Elisabeth Wittenberg, James Brusca
Multicorr#is#centrally#located#in#Louisville,#KY,#and#offers#
warehouse#services#in#major#produce#markets.##With#
exceptional#quality#and#unparalleled#service#we#have#quickly#
become#one#of#the#premier#sheet#feeder#and#produce#bin#
suppliers#east#of#the#Rockies.##
Contact:##
Jane#Jennings#
Marketing#Manager#
360>601>7860#
#
#For#the#last#25#years#Southern#Corporate#Packers,#and#President#Brian#Arrigo#have#had#one#goal#in#common,#to#bring#the#freshest#in#Florida#produce#to#
customers#throughout#the#United#States#and#Canada.##Starting#out#as#a#broker#in#the#industry#in#1989,#Brian#Arrigo#has#grown#his#business#into#one#of#
the#leading#grower/packer/shipper#in#the#industry.##
##
Growing#watermelons#year#round,#in#4#countries:#United#States,#Canada,#Mexico,#and#Nicaragua#already,#Southern#Corporate#Packers#has#steadily#
added#to#it's#robust#vegetable#program>#all#from#local#Florida#farms.#From#bell#pepper,#color#pepper,#specialty#pepper,#squash,#eggplant,#cucumbers,#
tomatoes,#to#recently#adding#beans#and#corn,#Southern#Corporate#Packers#consistently#aims#to#consistently#give#the#customer#the#best#quality#Florida#
produce#has#to#offer.##
##
With#seven#packing#houses#along#the#eastern#seaboard#of#North#America,#Southern#Corporate#Packers#offers#all#of#it's#produce#throughout#North#
America,#with#it's#own#transportation#subsidiary,#Chill#Fresh#Transportation,#the#freshest#in#Florida#produce#can#be#on#your#table#in#no#time.##
##
Lastly,#and#most#importantly,#Southern#Corporate#Packers#is#committed#to#good#safety#and#good#manufacturing#practices#to#ensure#the#highest#quality#
of#product#and#services#to#all#of#our#stakeholders.##
#
We#maintain#a#safe,#sanitized#and#efficient#facility#that#adheres#to#a#rigorous#food#safety#program.#This#prevents#any#biological,#chemical,#or#physical#
contamination#to#our#product.#Staff#training#and#development#is#an#important#component#of#our#ever#evolving#program.##
#
We#continuously#strive#to#become#the#standard#of#excellence#in#our#industry#with#"state#of#the#art,"#facility,#unsurpassed#processing#efficiency,#and#
excellent#customer#service#to#all#of#our#stakeholders.##
#