Special JA17 Allen Family Farms Melon Label Hits Shelves with Exciting Success

Firebaugh, CA / Buffalo, NY – The 2025 Allen Family melon harvest has started strong, and after two weeks in the fields, JA17 Allen Family Farms melons are already making their mark in stores. Aligning with the start of football season, demand for the limited-edition melon label has surged, especially in Western New York, with melon sales at the retail level increasing. While the JA17 label will be here for a few more weeks, buyers are being urged to secure this special label while they last.

This update builds on the initial launch of the JA17 label, a collaboration between Westside Produce/Classic Fruit and the Allen Family that honors the agricultural roots of professional quarterback, Josh Allen. The program not only brings cantaloupes and honeydews to market during peak season but also supports the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY, giving back to the community.

The families behind the label say the program is more than just produce – it’s a story of tradition, teamwork, and giving back. “We’ve been aligned as partners for many years, not just in business but as families in business,” said Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce. “The Allens are first class, and this label is about celebrating that partnership and sharing it with the broader community.” For Joel Allen, seeing the JA17 boxes hit stores during football season has been emotional. “It gives me a great sense of pride knowing fans can enjoy melons grown on our farm while also helping the children of Oishei Hospital in Buffalo,” he said. “To me, that’s a win-win.”

When asked about the promotion, Garrett has been excited about its success. “We’ve had great support from the beginning,” he adds. “We don’t normally see much excitement around melons, so having a new label that customers are excited about is rewarding to me, the entire Allen Family, and our team.”

With boxes moving quickly and football season already in full swing, the JA17 label is proving to be a fan favorite both in produce aisles and in the community it supports. Patricio hopes this continues to be a success for the commodity in whole. “I hope this label can be a reminder to everyone that family farms are the centerpiece of our food production system.” He continues, “obviously we are dealing with a global icon who just happened to grow up on a melon farm, so I really hope the label can raise awareness of a healthy and nutritious product that some might otherwise pass by in the produce aisle.”

For the overall melon season, it has presented challenges with cooler summer weather slowing crop maturity and producing slightly smaller fruit. The Westside Produce/Classic Fruit team continues to adapt in stride. “The season has been cooler than normal, which resulted in smaller sizing, but that’s farming – you don’t get to control the play clock. Our job is to adjust to the conditions, make the right calls, and get the fruit across the goal line for our customers,” comments Patricio.

Joel Allen, who has been walking the fields daily, echoed that sentiment with optimism. “It’s been a later maturing crop, but I feel good about the fruit and confident we’re going to have a solid season,” he said. “It’s a lot like football – sometimes you have to grind it out, but when the team works together, you can still deliver a win.”

Supplies are limited, and with harvest already in full swing, the message is clear: get them while you can!