The US National Watermelon Board (NWPB) claims to have brought watermelons into the 21st century with the fruit’s own web log.
The blog, called What About Watermelon, is part of an ongoing effort by the NWPB to help US consumers fall in love with the fruit all over again and offer culinary inspiration by portraying watermelons as an ingredient in everything from pancakes to pasta.
“The image of watermelon is long overdue for a makeover and that’s what we hope to accomplish with this blog,” said NWPB executive director Mark Arney. “Out of more than 70m blogs in existence, the NWPB’s entry is the first dedicated solely to watermelons. We’re also looking forward to engaging in conversations with others out there who love watermelon just as much as we do.”
Updated two to three times each week, What About Watermelon features watermelon recipes, news and facts. The blog will also host monthly polls, award watermelon-related prizes to comments chosen at random and host a panel of watermelon experts, including a chef, a nutritionist, a farmer and the National Watermelon Queen herself. Readers can email questions to any panelist and receive personalized answers.
Chef Harry Schwartz serves as the blog’s expert for all things cooking and kitchen related. Schwartz, or “Chef Harry” as he prefers to be called, is an author and national TV personality who began working with the NWPB in 2004 during its campaign to fight childhood obesity.
“There’s so much you can do with watermelon beyond the traditional wedge at the backyard barbecue,” said Chef Harry. “Demonstrating that versatility is just one of many goals of the blog. Another is to have fun, because watermelon is a fun food no matter what time of year it is!” Watermelon – it’s not just for summer picnics anymore. That’s the message, among many others, behind efforts by the National Watermelon Promotion Board’s (NWPB) to bring the iconic fruit into the 21st century with its very own blog.
This July, NWPB will be conducting a National Watermelon Month display contest in conjunction with the National Watermelon Association. The contest is open to retailers throughout the US and Canada, with multiple prize levels for eight retail regions, including a US$1,000 first prize and a trip for two to Dallas, Texas.
“We are very excited about retail participation in what we hope will be the first annual National Watermelon Month retail display contest, and we encourage you to share this information with your retail customers and accounts,” the NWPB said.
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