CALDWELL, Texas (KBTX) – As Independence Day approaches, watermelon is in high demand across Texas. With over 600 million pounds harvested annually, Texas is one of the leading watermelon producing states. The majority of this figure comes from the Brazos Valley, home of Wiggins Watermelon in Caldwell, where millions of watermelons are prepared for shipment each year.
Wiggins Watermelon, a fifth-generation family-owned business, has established itself as one of the largest growers and shippers of watermelons in Texas. Co-owner Jody Wiggin said of the scale of the company's operations:
“Watermelon ships from May through October, but the two weeks before the Fourth of July are our busiest time of the year. We expect to ship approximately 600 to 700 loads from multiple locations during this time,” Wiggins said.
Each load contains about 3,000 watermelons.Wiggins Watermelon's success is due in part to the unique soil of the Brazos Valley.
“Brazos Bottom watermelons taste really good,” Wiggin said, “They have a lot of rich soil flavor, and a lot of that flavor is indicative of the type of soil they're growing in.”
Robert Johnson, a barbecue catering company owner from Waco, travels to get watermelon and other local produce for his business.
“This is where we get the best watermelon in Texas – Wiggins watermelon,” he says. “We buy Wiggins watermelon and pair it with RJ's Custom BBQ and Slovacek's sausage. It's a great combination.”
Wiggins Watermelon employs more than 300 people to ensure consumers have access to the juiciest, most flavorful watermelon for their backyard barbecues and Fourth of July celebrations. According to Texas A&M AgriLife, the state's watermelon production is valued at more than $160 million annually.
The Wiggins family’s long history in the industry attests to their dedication and expertise.
“We've learned a lot over the years,” Wiggin said. “We think we do a really good job, and we have a good customer base that follows us wherever we go.”
The family also operates a fruit stand specializing in watermelon at the corner of FM 50 and FM 60 near the town of Snook. The stand is beloved by locals and serves up some of the finest watermelon in Texas.
As Texans prepare for the holidays, Wiggins Watermelon ensures fresh, juicy watermelon is within reach of many.
“The soil and the seeding and the way they handle it is what makes Wiggins watermelons so special,” Johnson said. “Even after they're harvested, you have to handle the watermelons right. You don't want a bruised watermelon. They handle it well.”
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