Legend Produce's Justin Bootz Details Current Cantaloupe Market
YUMA, AZ; BRAWLEY, CA - Cantaloupe is one of the produce aisle’s summer staples—and for sweet, sweet reasons. As retailers gear up for the hottest season and the promotions that come with it, I checked in with Legend Produce to find out how its unique varieties, like its flagship Origami, are set to diversify produce departments with that iconic orange hue in the run-up to June.
“We are kicking off our cantaloupe season in Brawley, California, and Yuma and Maricopa, Arizona, this week. At the moment, the cantaloupe market is somewhere between steady and tight because we are just starting our domestic season and transitioning from offshore imports,” Justin Bootz, Sales, shared with me. “As a result, we are seeing a spike in both prices and demand. We’re anticipating to meet that demand with excellent, sweet flavors; strong, inviting aromas; and high sugars and brix across our varieties, including our exclusive Origami cantaloupe.”
According to Justin, the Origami tastes like what a cantaloupe should taste like. One of the reasons behind its exceptional flavor is Legend Produce’s focus on full slip varieties, which produce a consistently flavorful eating experience.
“Being a full slip melon, the Origami is harvested when it is ripe and ready to eat, so it will have a strong aroma, a softer texture, and a sweet, classic cantaloupe taste,” Justin explained. “In addition, the cantaloupe is bursting with health benefits, like vitamin C and A, potassium, and electrolytes—all of which make Legend Produce cantaloupes must-haves in summer produce departments.”
And to sweeten the deal on this season’s crop, Justin noted that there have been no problems with the weather in California or Arizona.
“We had slightly below-average temperatures in the late winter and early spring, which set everyone’s start dates behind the historical start dates for the desert crop. But, aside from that, weather has been ideal, and we expect to see excellent quality out of our Brawley, Maricopa, and Yuma acreage,” Justin concluded.
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