July is the month when Americans celebrate their nation’s independence. The Founding Fathers started the country to ensure its citizens’ life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And July is also a time when the nation celebrates a fruit that helps in that pursuit of happiness. Yes, it’s National Watermelon Month and the Produce Buzzers are honoring this delicious and joy-inspiring fruit. They are joined by a woman who probably knows more about watermelons than anyone on the planet.

Rachel Syngo is Chief Marketing Officer of Melon 1, the oldest and largest shipper of watermelons in the U.S. She has real passion for the work she is doing which is why we are delighted to have her on the podcast to help us celebrate. Tune in to hear all about watermelons, how they are grown, their nutritional value, and, maybe most important, how to pick the perfect watermelon.

Doing good is good business. That is the belief of Raul Fernandez and Martin Casanova of THX! Dreams, a fresh produce company that donates part of their profits to help farm workers fulfill vital needs. Raul and Martin join us this week on the podcast to tell us how THX! Dreams is providing many types of necessities to needy families who work on the farms where their fruits and veggies are grown. From computers and tablets for children in school, to home improvements like adding rooms to their homes, to online education and medical needs. The company is growing fast and fortune has favored them in so many ways. Raul says, “When you are striving to do good and especially for others, the universe conspires to help you.” A principle that THX! Dreams believes in and is fulfilling.

Listen in to be inspired by the story of Raul’s and Martin’s vision to give back after many years as successful business entrepreneurs. And learn how you can help them in their quest by doing nothing more than buying the right brand of fruits and veggies you are already eating.

You may have noticed that beautiful, delicious cherries are starting to show up in the produce sections of your favorite grocery stores. Yes, it’s a wonderful time of year when the new crop makes its way to the fresh produce aisle. Our guest this week has spent his career at one of the largest and premier fruit growers in the nation. Mac Riggan is the Director of Marketing for Chelan Fresh and the Joyfully Grown brand, one of the largest growers and shippers of cherries in North America. Mac estimates that they harvest about 120 billion cherries a year!

Chelan Fresh is a shipper of apples, pears, and cherries owned by the farmers who grow the fruit. Their farms are family-owned, many of which are now being led by the fourth, fifth, and even sixth generation of those families. Growing fruit and growing it well is just in their genes.

As cherry season is now starting, we are delighted to have Mac on the show today to tell us about the delicious varieties of this fruit that Chelan Fresh grows. Tune in to learn how cherries are grown and the challenges the growers face in their labor of love to bring you these delicious treats.