Atlantic Produce Exchange LLC
P.O. Box 691238
Vero Beach, FL 32969
HQ & Sales: 850-878-6224
Transportation: 863-619-6344
About Us
Our Organization
Our Packing Facilities
Our Organization
Celebrating 26 years as a family run watermelon business.
We are an established "grower, packer, and shipper" providing our customers with excellent - dependable service and for the consumer quality watermelons
Our Farms
Our Packing Facilities
Our Organization
Our farms are in Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Delaware. We have over 1400 acres of watermelons - available from April to September
Our Packing Facilities
Our Packing Facilities
Our Packing Facilities
Seedless & Seeded watermelons.
Place packed by size in 24" or 36" bins. Use CHEP pallets or blond Grade A wood pallets.
Orders loaded FOB or shipped delivered.
Our Organization
Atlantic Produce Exchange LLC, founded in 1998, has grown consistently over the past 26 years.
Meet Our Staff:
- Alex Kline - Sales Manager with 20+ years in packinghouse management and 10+ years in watermelon production
- Jon Kline - Sales with 40+ years in watermelon production and marketing
- Jean Kline - Accounting & Food Safety Consultant
- Mike Johnson - Packinghouse manager and onsite food safety coordinator
- Brad Nelson - Onsite Food Safety Director and audit lead
- Dave Haller - Sales operations
- Derek Rodgers - Sales operations
- Erik Eriksen - Sales operations out of Grand Rapids, MI
- Larry Odom - Transportation Manager - 30 years experience
Atlantic Produce Exchange is committed to provide our customers with excellent service and quality:
Growers - support with the logistics of the sale and transport of watermelons , food safety guidance, complete documentation of harvested and sold product, prompt and fair compensation
Workers - support with a safe and respectful work environment, training to meet job requirements, fair compensation, and open communication
Transportation Providers - clear and complete communication to facilitate timely delivery of product, and prompt invoice payment
Retailers - open and complete communication, accurate and timely delivery of orders, compliance with food safety and quality standards
Vendors - clear and complete orders and timely payments of invoices
Consumers - availability to answer questions or concerns, provide quality watermelons to enjoy.
Our Farms
Florida
Missouri
Florida
Atlantic Produce Growers LLC - Located Vero Beach, FL - 390 acres. Anticipated harvest early April through May
Newberry / Trenton, FL 100 acres. Anticipated harvest late May through June
Georgia
Missouri
Florida
Pond-O-Gold, Omega, GA - 350 acres. Anticipated harvest June 5 through mid-July.
Missouri
Missouri
Missouri
Moore & Moore Farms - Hornersville, MO - 285 acres. Anticipated harvest July 1 through mid-August.
Delaware
SweetOnes - Label
Missouri
Lakeside Farms Laurel, DE.- 275 acres. Anticipated harvest mid-July to early September.
SweetOnes - Label
SweetOnes - Label
SweetOnes - Label
"The name says it all"
Our Facilities
Florida
Vero Beach - Atlantic Produce Growers /Sun Ag
Trenton / Newberry - Jackie Langford Farms
Georgia
Omega - Pond-O-Gold & Farmers Choice Melons
Missouri
Hornersville - Moore & Moore Farms
Delaware
Laurel - Lakeside Farms
Watermelon - A Healthy Choice!
Packed with nutrients to support your health
A two-cup serving of watermelon contains excellent levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, and also serves as a valuable source of potassium.
At 92% water, watermelon delivers needed fluids and nutrients to the body, including lycopene - which as been studied for its potential role in reducing risk of heart disease, various cancers and protection to skin from harmful UV rays - and citrulline - which can help maintain blood flow with the heart and cardiovascular function.
Benefits
- Vitamin A for Healthy Eyes and Skin
- Vitamin B6 for Immune Function and Brain Development in Pregnancy & Infancy
- Vitamine C is an antioxidant that can help boost immunity
- Antioxidant Lycopene may aid in sun protection
- Cholesterol-free, Fat-free, Sodium-free and only 80 calories per serving
- Antioxidants and hydration may aid recovery after exercise
Watermelon has Safe Handling Practices
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you should wash all fruits and vegetables, including all melons, in clean, running water before eating them. If you purchase a cut piece of watermelon, rinse the rind portion with fresh water. Don't forget to dry too! This is true of all fruits and vegetables, rinds or not.
Selection, Storage and Handling of Watermelons
How to Choose a Watermelon
- Look the watermelon over. You are looking for a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free from bruises, cuts or dents.
- Lift it up - The watermelon should be heavy for its size. Watermelon is 92% water so most of the weight is water.
- Turn it over - The underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
Here are some steps to consider when enjoying watermelon:
- Select the best melon possible to last the longest in you kitchen The outside of the melon should be firm and free of any major cracks or dents.
- Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water before cutting watermelons
- Before cutting, wash the outer surface with cool tap water and dry to remove surface dirt.
- Wash all food-contact areas and euipment, such as cutting boards, counter tops, peelers and knives with hot water and soap to avoid cross contamination.
- Maintain the temperature of watermelons. If you purchased it at room temperature, you can keep it at room temperature. If you refrigerate it after purchasing, be sure to keep the watermelon cool.
- Always refrigerate watermelon once you have cut into it. Either place in covered container, or cover the cut surface of a melon with plastic wrap to prevent the flesh from becoming mushy. Always refrigerate immediately.
Food Safety Priorities
GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative)
We are dedicated to following the most current GFSI standards in all farms, harvest crews and packing houses. We support and work with our our Growers and facilities to ensure up-to-date practices are in place and followed.
Food Safety Policies & Procedures
All farms and facilities use the latest GFSI standards and guidelines. Trained staff perform and continuous monitor adherence to those standards. Annually, each farm and facility are third-party audited using a fully recognized audit scheme covering the Food Safety Management System, Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices.
Food Safety Staff Qualifications
- All workers are trained annually on food safety standards and expectations
- Those workers with specialized responsibilities received job-specific training
- Key staff at each facility are certified in HACCP (Hazard Assessment and Critical Control Points)
- FSMA (Food Safety and Modernization Act) Training in both Grower and Preventive Controls completed
PrimusGFS Audits
2024-2025 PrimusGFS audits for farms and facilities available below.
Licenses & References
FEIN: 45-4501992
Licenses & Bonds
- PACA License #: 20120820
- Florida License & Bond - $100,000
- Georgia License & Bond - $230,000
- Delaware License & Bond - $50,000
Product Liability Insurance - $10 million
Dun & Bradstreet: 12-805-2995
Blue Book BB#: 160273
Red Book PIN#: 161838
Links
National Watermelon Promotion Board
Representing 1,500 watermelon growers, shippers and importers nationwide, their goal is to promote the nutritional, culinary and convenience benefits of watermelon.
National Watermelon Association
A voluntary, membership trade association dedicated to making a positive difference in the business and lives of its Watermelon family - those involved in the growing, grading, handling, transporting, distributing, and selling of watermelon.
International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
freshproduce.com
IFPA trade association represent companies from every segment of global fresh produce and floral supply chain. IFPA advocate, connect and guide to enhance member's prosperity.
Produce Blue Book
https://www.producebluebook.com
Blue Book Services, Inc. is a leading credit and marketing information agency, serving the international wholesale produce industry since 1901...
Produce Market Guide (Red Book)
Produce Market Guide is a resource for produce commodity information, fresh trends and data analysis.