Specialty produce creates fresh merchandising opportunities for the final big summer occasion and the seasonal transition ahead.
Los Angeles, CA – August 2026 - Labor Day is one of the final major produce-selling opportunities of summer, giving retailers another occasion to capture demand around grilling, entertaining and family gatherings while beginning the transition into fall.
Last year’s promotions underscore the opportunity. The USDA National Retail Report recorded 311,059 produce ad features during Labor Day week in 2025, up 6% from the previous week. Watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, potatoes, sweet onions, colored bell peppers and avocados were among the items heavily promoted as retailers featured late-summer favorites alongside the first signs of fall.
“Labor Day is an important transition point in the produce department,” said Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations at Melissa’s. “Retailers can capitalize on the foods shoppers are looking for now while using specialty items to keep displays fresh and build excitement as merchandising begins to shift into fall.”
Melissa’s is highlighting several timely opportunities that can carry retailers from the holiday into the season ahead.
New-crop Melissa’s Baby Dutch Yellow®, Dutch Red® and Gemstone Potatoes® are here from Idaho’s Magic Valley, with strong supplies for Labor Day and the transition into fall. Retailers can capitalize on grilling demand through the holiday, then carry the program forward as merchandising shifts toward roasting and fall meal solutions.
Waterloupes® offer a unique late-summer melon experience, combining the crisp, juicy texture of watermelon with the sweet, aromatic flavor of cantaloupe. Available through October, Waterloupes give retailers a distinctive way to keep melon displays fresh and engaging as the department moves into fall.
Organic Green Keitt Mangos, grown in California, bring another seasonal discovery to late-summer fruit displays, with availability extending through October. Known for their large size, silky texture, small seed and sweet flavor, Green Keitts remain green when ripe, creating an opportunity for shopper education at the point of sale.
Fiesta Serrano Peppers bring a colorful mix of red, yellow, orange, chocolate and green Serranos to grilling, salsa and guacamole displays. Available into winter, they provide a visually distinctive pepper offering that can transition from Labor Day into fall and football-season merchandising.
For more information, contact your Melissa’s sales representative.
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
# # #
