WINTER SPRINGS, FL – The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), in partnership with the National Watermelon Association (NWA), invite all retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries with watermelons of U.S. origin to submit entries to their Retail Display Contest. Originally established to honor National Watermelon Month in July, the retail display contest is now accepting submissions throughout the summer months of July and August.
Now in its 8th year, the contest is used by NWPB to encourage retailers to create displays that showcase the many benefits of watermelon including health, value and versatility. To assist in the contest, Watermelon Board provides free resources including an informational retail kit, point-of-sale materials, cutting and usage ideas, and tips on how to create effective watermelon displays.
The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and an opportunity for two to attend the NWA’s Annual Convention in Lake Tahoe in February 2017. Additionally, nine regional 1st place winners will receive $250 each, nine 2nd place winners will receive $100 and nine regional 3rd places winners will receive $75 each.
Displays can be based on whole watermelon, fresh-cut watermelon, mini watermelon or any mix. Judges will look at a display’s overall appearance, creativity, shop-ability and use of point-of-sale materials. To enter a display, retailers can submit their entry via an online contest form at http://www.watermelon.org/Retailers/Retail-Display-Contest beginning July 1st. All entries must be submitted by September 9, 2016. For more information, including official contest rules, visit watermelon.org/retailers or contact Juliemar Rosado at jrosado@watermelon.org.
About National Watermelon Promotion Board The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 1,500 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.
Watermelon, the produce leader in lycopene, is a multivitamin unto itself, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamins A and C and a good source of Vitamin B6 with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 14.8 pounds in 2015. Watermelon volume in the United States was approximately 4.7 billion pounds in 2015. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.
About National Watermelon Association
NWA is the nation’s oldest fruit & vegetable commodity association, established in March 1914, with members across most U.S. states, Canada and Central America, operating with nine chapters across the USA. The priorities and focus of the Association are to constantly seek improvements in the growing, grading, handling, transportation, distribution and sale of watermelon through federal public policy, production research, food safety & traceability, and numerous other member services. Membership in the Association is voluntary and open to any person/company with an interest in the Watermelon business.
Source: The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB)