Ohio is the region’s top grower of sweet corn and also provides wholesalers with apples, peppers, and squash. Ohio is also a top pumpkin producer, the nation’s third largest in 2015, after Illinois and California.
Indiana grows cabbage and cantaloupe, but is the biggest watermelon shipper, followed by Missouri. Demand for this old favorite is always a sure bet for the summer months in the Midwest, but also in the spring and fall.
Giant Eagle is established in Cleveland, competing with local independent Heinen’s Fine Foods.
And while these two states don’t have the volume of some growers in the South, location can be key for both speed and ease of delivery.
“We don’t have as many watermelon shippers in the Midwest as Florida,” contends John Bennett, president of JohnCo Distributing, Inc. in Indianapolis, “but there are freight advantages to sourcing here.” Top among them is weight, as watermelon, despite being mostly water and sugar, are rather heavy.
“I think the hottest fruit right now is watermelon,” comments Taylor, whose website is affiliated with the National Watermelon Board. “I haven’t been to a birthday party yet this year where they weren’t serving watermelon.” She also notes more consumer openness to seeded varieties, even with the availability of many seedless types.
Despite the perception of hotter than usual sales, early watermelon shipments were actually running behind in the summer of 2016. “Due to a later than expected watermelon season out of Florida, volume has been down year to date,” notes Byrne.
On the other hand, though, he says, “Cantaloupe volumes into the Midwest have increased slightly compared to 2015.”
Greenhouse production
In addition to all field grown commodities, greenhouses have been popping up in Midwestern states as well. Correspondingly, volume has picked up as suppliers can now rely on steady shipments of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
