Cantaloupe Growers Prepare For Lacking Sales

Local Farmers Worried About Missing Revenue

UPDATED: 10:15 pm MDT September 15, 2011

 

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Local farmers are worried about cantaloupe sales after a Colorado farm says listeria has been found in some of its fruit. The new developments have prompted a recall of the fruit from Jensen Farms in melon-rich area of Rocky Ford.Thursday's recall most likely means a slow down in sales for local farmers, too. And, with melon season heating up for some on the Western Slope, it couldn't have come at a worse time."It can be devastating if it's in some of your major items," Farmer Robert Helmer said of a produce recall.He, along with many other farmers from the area, were lining Main Street in Grand Junction for the last time before capping off a successful summer. This year, though, that final farmers' market of the year is ending on a sour note."I think last year it was tomatoes, the year before - it's always something," Kathleen Riskey said about recalls in the past.She shops as much as possible at different farmers' markets, but admits that she will be staying away from cantaloupe because of recent news. "I'm not going to freak out about it and never eat it again," she said. "But, I think it's better to be safe than sorry."Customers like her are exactly what local cantaloupe growers are preparing for after Thursday's news out of southeastern Colorado. That's where the melons tested positive for listeria at Jensen Farms in Granada."Cantaloupe, you know, is one of the big sales," Terrin George with Red Barn Farms and Garden in Palisade said. "Everybody really enjoys melons out here and they become very popular this time of year."George's farm, which has been growing the fruit since 1964, relies heavily on its late season sales. Even though the farm that tested positive is nearly 500 miles from this area, she still expect sales to suffer."Everybody is afraid, no one wants to get sick."At Alida's fruit stand, they were busy trying to lessen the blow by educating customers. "Take your cantaloupe home and wash it well before you cut it," Helmer directed. "You've got to remember that these melons grow on the ground so there's a pretty good chance that something would get on them."Just down the street, the folks with Red Barn believe in the same philosophy. But, on Thursday, they were seeing something completely unexpected. "Sales have actually increased with our cantaloupe this week," George noted. "People are asking 'Where is this from and how are you preventing stuff? It's nice to see people take the time to learn."Keeping things in perspective, though, both of these farmers are preparing for the worst. "Cantaloupe season is pretty well over for us," Helmer said. "It will cut our sales back some, but it isn't going to stop me from eating some.""We're still expecting sales to slow down as the process unfolds and more cases of listeria pop up," George added.