Signature seasonal program taps into shopper curiosity and the opportunity for Halloween produce merchandising.
Los Angeles - September 2026 — Spiky kiwano melons. Spooky finger limes. Electric-pink dragon fruit. Tentacled Buddha’s Hand. When nature gets this weird, Halloween practically writes itself.
That’s the idea behind Melissa’s Freaky Fruit®, a signature seasonal program that has been bringing Halloween fun to produce departments for years. Originally created around a natural shift in the produce calendar, Freaky Fruit® gives unusual tropical and specialty fruits a moment to shine as summer fruit winds down and fall takes over.
Dragon fruit, rambutan, passion fruit, cherimoya, starfruit, papaya, kiwano melon and more turn the produce department into a destination for discovery, giving shoppers something unexpected to stop for, talk about and take home. They’re also a fresh, naturally colorful way to skip the candy aisle and join the Halloween fun, whether packed into lunchboxes, served as snacks or transformed into something spooky.
“Freaky Fruit has always been about making produce fun and getting people excited to try something new,” said Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations at Melissa’s Produce. “Halloween is the perfect time for it. Rambutan and dragon fruit make great edible eyeballs, kiwano can become a shrunken head, and all those wild colors and shapes are perfect for spooky drinks, snacks and party boards.”
And the fun isn’t limited to fruit. Melissa’s Vicious Veg™ brings Halloween to unexpected items like aloe vera. The celebration carries through to the packaging, too, with select favorites dressing up for the occasion in Freaky Fruit® labels, including rambutans, starfruit, guava, goldenberries, kumquats and Muscatos™ grapes.
Look for Melissa’s Freaky Fruit® displays at select retailers throughout October. Want to bring the Halloween fun to your produce department? Contact your Melissa’s sales representative to learn more about the Freaky Fruit® assortment and available program materials.
About Melissa’s Produce
Melissa's Produce is a leading distributor of specialty fruits and vegetables, offering a wide variety of unique and exotic items to grocery stores and restaurants across the country. The company is committed to providing the freshest, highest-quality produce while continuously innovating and introducing new and exciting products to consumers. Media contact: Robert Schueller, 800.588.0151, www.melissas.com
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