Local watermelons ‘original summertime treat’

By MICHEL ELBEN
Staff Reporter

This month, Delmarva’s watermelon season peaks with a sweet summer celebration.
“Consumers who buy MAR-DELicious watermelons will be purchasing a fresh crop that is carefully grown in the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware,” said Mary Ellen Setting, Maryland Agriculture Deputy Secretary.
Wednesday, the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk used the fruit as part of their continuing marketing campaign. “The Original Summertime Treat” was spotted again Friday at the Annapolis Market House at City Dock encouraging consumers to purchase sweet, locally-grown watermelons.
National Watermelon Queen Jessica Southard and Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Parris Travers were on hand at both locations to hand out fresh, cool watermelon slices, along with fun giveaways including recipes.
“This August promotion gives our consumers countless opportunities to experience locally grown Maryland and Delaware watermelon that is second to none in quality, nutrition and taste,” said MDA Marketing Chief Mark Powell.
The Mar-Del Watermelon Association joined with the Delaware and Maryland departments of agriculture for the fourth consecutive summer to tap into consumer desire to buy locally grown food and support local farmers.
Delaware and Maryland have a two-state promotion, which encourages locally grown watermelon consumers to buy the great tasting, healthy fruit with the brand label of “MAR-DELicious” in area food stores.
Acme, Costco, Food Lion, Giant, Harris Teeter, Mars, Safeway, Sam’s Club, SUPERVALU, Ukrop’s, Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Weis and Whole Foods are among the stores participating in the promotion by carrying and identifying MAR-DELicious brand watermelons in a number of their stores.
The National Watermelon Promotion Board offers these tips for choosing and storing watermelon:
• Pick a firm, symmetrical watermelon free of bruises, cuts and dents.
• Pick it up: It is 92 percent water and should feel heavy for its size.
• Turn it over and look for the yellow spot that shows that the melon ripened on the vine.
• Watermelons typically need warmer storage than other fruit. 55 F is ideal, but whole watermelons will keep seven to 10 days at room temperature.
• Once a melon is cut, it should be wrapped and stored at 37 to 39 F. From salads to satay, watermelon makes a refreshing, no-cook summer meal.
Studies show watermelon to be a healthy summertime treat, too.
It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
A two-cup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, and C as well as potassium.
Fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than any other fresh produce.
A number of studies have drawn a correlation between lycopene and the possible prevention of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland are areas filled with the history of fresh market produce, including watermelons, with the Laurel (Del.) Auction Market serving as a primary marketing point for watermelons since the 1940s.
As early as 1905, melons grown on the Delmarva Peninsula were shipped by rail to markets in the cities.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in 2009, Maryland and Delaware farmers together harvested 157.3 million pounds of watermelons with a farm gate value of $15.7 million from 4,600 acres.
“We have a long history of bringing some of the freshest, most nutritious produce from local farming communities to larger cities in the Chesapeake Bay region. We look forward to continuing the tradition and encouraging people to support our farmers by buying local products,” said Setting.
A brief slideshow featuring Will Hales, Maryland farmer who grows more than 300 acres of watermelons, is available online at www.remsberg.com/soundbooks/melon_web/index.html.
For more information about MAR-DELicious watermelons, contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Mark Powell (410-841-5775 by phone, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or Karen Fedor (410-841-5773, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).