LAGRANGE, GA - Sweet and juicy cantaloupes have taken over social media, inspiring shoppers to select a few from the produce department and get creative in the kitchen. The Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association (ECGA) has joined forces with several key food influencers to highlight the mouthwatering cantaloupes that come out of the South and Midwest regions.
"Eastern Cantaloupe growers recognize the importance of supporting their retailers, and getting consumers excited about buying delicious, locally-grown, seasonal fruit, is a great way to do that," said Debbie Johnson, ECGA Executive Director.
The association is building on the success of its 2020 Flavor of Sunshine campaign by tapping renowned influencers Haylie Abele and Colleen Redwood to create enticing new recipes to showcase all that is great about Eastern Cantaloupes to their extensive audiences. Redwood has already developed delicious recipes for Eastern Cantaloupe Popsicles and a Summer Sangria, according to a press release, while Abele has created unique recipes for an Eastern Cantaloupe Caprese Salad and Spiced Cantaloupe Bread. Both influencers are also taking to social media to share tips and lifestyle information to help consumers choose, store, and prepare Eastern Cantaloupes.
"We’ve focused on easy recipes with familiar ingredients that are perfect for warm summer days and nights," added Johnson. "The consumer response has been phenomenal; we’ve heard stories of consumers asking their produce managers ‘are these Eastern Cantaloupes,’ which is exactly what we were hoping for," Johnson concluded.
Often referred to as Athena Melon, rock melon, or muskmelon, Eastern Cantaloupes are grown throughout the Midwest and all along the East Coast and are typically only available from May through early September. The delicious melons benefit from the wetter climate and rich soil of the region, improving their size and sweetness. Because of transportation distances and logistics, Eastern Cantaloupes make it from field to retailers’ receiving docks in as little as 24 hours, as noted in the release.
To learn more about ECGA’s innovative campaign, click here.
And for all the latest news in the produce industry, keep clicking on AndNowUKnow.
