CALDWELL, Texas (KBTX) – As the Fourth of July approaches, watermelons are in high demand across Texas. With over 600 million pounds harvested each year, Texas is one of the top watermelon producing states. A significant portion of that comes from the Brazos Valley, home to Wiggins Watermelons in Caldwell, where millions of watermelons are prepared for shipping each year.
Wiggins Watermelons, a fifth-generation family business, has established itself as one of the largest growers and shippers in Texas. Jody Wiggin, one of the owners, explained the magnitude of their business by saying:
“We ship watermelons from May through October, but the two weeks leading up to July 4 are some of the busiest of the year. We expect to ship about 600 to 700 loads during that time from multiple locations,” Wiggins said.
Each shipment contains approximately 3,000 watermelons. The success of Wiggins watermelons is partly due to the unique soil of the Brazos Valley.
“The Brazos bottom has a really nice flavor for watermelon,” Wiggin said. “The rich flavor of the soil is heavy, and a lot of your flavor is indicative of the type of soil you’re in,” Wiggins added.
Robert Johnson, a Waco barbecue and catering company owner, travels especially for these watermelons and other local food items for his business.
“These are some of the best watermelons in Texas, Wiggins watermelons,” he said. “I take Wiggins watermelons and combine them with RJ’s custom BBQ and Slovacek sausage. It’s an unbeatable combination.”
Wiggins Watermelons employs more than 300 workers to ensure consumers have access to the most succulent, flavorful watermelons for their backyard barbecues and Fourth of July festivities. Texas A&M AgriLife notes that watermelon production in the state exceeds $160 million annually.
The Wiggins family’s long history in the industry underscores their dedication and expertise.
“We’ve learned a lot over the years,” Wiggin said. “I’d like to think we’re doing a really, really good job. We have a good consumer base that follows us everywhere we go.”
The family also operates a fruit stand specializing in watermelons, located on the corner of FM 50 and FM 60 near the town of Snook. This stand has become a local favorite, offering some of the best watermelons in Texas.
As Texans prepare for the holidays, Wiggins Watermelons is ensuring that fresh, juicy watermelon is within reach for many.
“The soil, the seedlings and the way they handle them makes Wiggins watermelons special,” Johnson said. “You have to handle them well, even after you pick them, because you don’t want to bruise them, and they do well.”
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