The Sweetest Bite is Organic

Research shows that up to 80 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fruit; however, melons help make it a little easier with every delicious, revitalizing bite.¹ But melons aren’t just a tasty treat—they boast a plethora of nutrients to support your health, too! Studies have repeatedly shown that organic produce, including melons, contains higher concentrations of nutrients that support our health.^{2 3}

Watermelons are abundant in vitamins A and C, the antioxidant lycopene, and the amino acid citrulline, which supports healthy vascular function. True to their name, watermelons are 92 percent water and provide a splash of hydration and electrolytes on even the hottest days.⁴

Cantaloupe’s tangerine orange flesh shows off its beta-carotene content. In fact, cantaloupe contains more beta-carotene than oranges, apricots, grapefruit, and mangoes. With all that beta-carotene supporting healthy vision, it’s easy to see why it’s such a loveable fruit.⁵

Honeydew is a great source of vitamin C, and like its fellow melons, offers hydration and electrolyte minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium, all of which helps your skin glow from the inside out. 

Wild Bees and Melons Abound

Would a melon by any other name taste as sweet? Perhaps. Would melons without the work of bees taste as sweet? Not a chance. In fact, a two-year study investigating the impact of pollinators on melons showed “the only thing that significantly affected the production of marketable watermelons was the number of visits bees made to pollinate the plants.”⁶ Additionally, the study found that visits from wild bees have a greater impact on higher yields than domesticated bees. 

Conventionally grown melons treated with pesticides like  the neonicotinoid imidacloprid put these wild bees at risk by exposing them to the pesticide via the pollen and nectar.^{7 8} Neonicotinoids are insidious, and have been well-studied for their devastating effects on bee populations.⁹ Choosing organic melons is an easy way to support your local wild bees. 

Cantaloupe and… CAFOS?!

What do factory farms have to do with cantaloupes, you ask? The Environmental Working Group created a map to show the proximity of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to other farms in California, where 40 percent of U.S. cantaloupes are grown. Two hundred and fifteen fields covering 9,850 acres of cantaloupes lie within a three-mile buffer zone of CAFOs.¹⁰ Waste from CAFOs contain all kinds of toxins and antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can seep into the irrigation systems of other farms, putting their crops at risk of contamination.¹¹ In 2022, an FDA requirement for farms to test irrigation water quality was abandoned and made optional.¹² Organic standards however, require water quality testing to ensure it is free from contaminants.¹³ Choosing organic meats, melons, and beyond helps support agricultural practices that prioritize the wellbeing of the planet, animals, and each other. 

So, pull up a lawn chair and a slice of watermelon, because this summer we’re basking in the gloriousness of summer, organically.

Try Our Grilled Watermelon with Savory Toppings

Fresh juicy watermelon is peak summer, but have you tried grilling it? A quick turn on the grill transforms this classic summer fruit—light charring enhances its natural sweetness and adds a subtle smoky depth that takes the flavor to another level. Top each wedge with a tangy, slightly spicy mix of corn, peppers, red onion, feta, avocado, and fresh mint or basil for a vibrant combination of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors.

GET THE RECIPE

References

1. Stewart, H., Hyman, J., & Young, S. (2024, September 9). Satisfying fruit and vegetable recommendations possible for under $3 a day, data analysis shows | Economic Research Service. USDA. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2024/september/satisfying-fruit-an…
2. Salandanan, K., Bunning, M., Stonaker, F., Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Institute, Kendall, P., & Stushnoff, C. (2009). Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant Properties and Fruit Quality Attributes of Organically and Conventionally Grown Melons (Cucumis melo L.). In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 44, Issue 7, pp. 1825–1832). https://journals.ashs.org/hort/hort/published/rest/pdf-watermark/v1/jou…
3. Vigar, V., Myers, S., Oliver, C., Arellano, J., Robinson, S., & Leifert, C. (2019). A Systematic review of organic versus conventional food consumption: Is there a measurable benefit on human health? Nutrients, 12(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010007
4. Manivannan, A., Lee, E., Han, K., Lee, H., & Kim, D. (2020). Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals. Molecules, 25(22), 5258. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225258
5. Melons, cantaloupe, raw - Nutrients. (2019, December 16). USDA FoodData Central. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/746770/nutrients
6. Rose, I. (2023, March 1). For Melon Farmers, Insects’ Benefits May Outweigh Their Costs. Civil Eats. https://civileats.com/2023/01/31/for-melon-farmers-insects-benefits-may…
7. Azpiazu, C., Medina, P., Sgolastra, F., Moreno-Delafuente, A., & Viñuela, E. (2023). Pesticide residues in nectar and pollen of melon crops: Risk to pollinators and effects of a specific pesticide mixture on Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) micro-colonies. Environmental Pollution, 326, 121451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121451
8. Leach, A., & Kaplan, I. (2022). Prioritizing pollinators over pests: wild bees are more important than beetle damage for watermelon yield. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 289(1986), 20221279. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.1279
9. Neonicotinoids 101: The effects on humans and bees. (2025, September 11).     https://www.nrdc.org/stories/neonicotinoids-101-effects-humans-and-bees
10. Rabine, A., & Faber, S. (2023, December 7). Contaminated cantaloupe: The risk of farm fields near CAFOs. Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/research/contaminated-cantaloupe-risk-farm-fields-n…
11. Why are CAFOs bad? (n.d.). Sierra Club. https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/why-are-cafos-bad#pollutants
12. Bahe, E. (2024, July 24). Most California factory farms, close to irrigation canals, threaten U.S. food safety. Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/research/most-california-factory-farms-close-irriga…
13. Sustainable Water Practices in Organic Food Certification - NFC. (2025, May 18). NFC - Natural Food Certifiers. https://nfccertification.com/sustainable-water-practices-in-organic-foo…