Watermelon is a summertime favorite, but it can bring sales to your store throughout the year. Place watermelon near the front of the store during the summer, especially around the summertime holidays of Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Shipping
45,000-lb. bulk 1,050-lb. bins 85-lb. cartons, various counts 65-lb. cartons (seedless) 35-lb. cartons (mickey lee) 24-, 30-, and 36-inch bins RPC – not available
Grades
United States U.S. fancy U.S. No. 1 U.S. No. 2
Handling
Temperature: 50 to 60 F, 10 to 15.6 C. At 50 F, 10 C or lower, watermelons lose color. At 60 F, 15.6 C or higher they decay. Relative humidity: 90% Mist: no Typical shelf life: 14 to 21 days Ethylene-sensitive (Do not store or transport with ethylene-producing commodities.) Susceptible to chilling injury (Damage sometimes is not apparent until produce is returned to a higher temperature. At temperatures of 32-50 F, 0-10 C, watermelons are subject to chill injury.) After one week at 32 F, 0 C, they will develop an off-flavor and become pitted. For about a week, holding watermelons at room temperature can improve flavor and coloring, and can be held for up to three weeks at 50 to 60 F, 10 to 15.6 C, but it is best to sell quickly. When stored at higher temperatures, color will deepen. Once picked, watermelon sugar content does not increase.
20-lb. melon = about 138 ½-inch sliced wedges 20-lb. melon = about 90 ¾-inch sliced wedges 30-lb. melon = about 190 ½-inch sliced wedges
