Family-run Sanger produce stand offers unique melons for peak summer season

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- To beat the summer heat, crews rise before dawn to pick watermelons in Sanger, where a family-run produce stand is drawing customers with an array of uncommon varieties.

At Dicky Don Produce on McCall Avenue, nine types of watermelon go beyond the traditional red-fleshed fruit, offering customers bright yellow and orange options that often surprise first-time visitors.

"I think just to see their faces when we tell them it's yellow on the inside or no, it's orange on the inside, I think it's just seeing their facial expression. Wow, it really is this bright, beautiful orange," said stand manager Jessie Allen.

Her father, Robert Allen, said the unexpected colors can catch people off guard.

"This is our Orange Flesh. You know it's a little mind-boggling that it's actually a watermelon," he said.

The stand also features other unique varieties, including a yellow-fleshed melon.

"Yellow flesh... we call it our Yellowjacket," Robert said.

Dicky Don Produce is named after Jessie Allen's grandfather, Richard, whose nickname is Dicky Don. At 85, he still works on the farm, inspiring the family.

"Very inspiring. I think he probably works harder than all of us," Jessie Allen said.

Beyond watermelons, the stand offers specialty melons sourced from the farm.

"This is called a de Sappo. The de Sappo means 'skin of the toad.' It is probably the sweet melon that we have," Robert Allen said. "This one is a Hami."

Robert Allen also shared tips for picking the best fruit, including listening for the right tone when tapping a watermelon.

"(tapping) High pitch. (tapping) Low pitch. Did you hear it? Very low, dull pitch. This is overripe," he said.

He added that color can also indicate ripeness. "I try to look for a yellow spot. If it's white, it's probably not quite ready yet."

The Fourth of July weekend marks the busiest time of year for the stand, as demand for watermelon peaks.

"The whole industry... this is the crunch time for watermelon season," Robert said.

This season, the family expanded its offerings to include vegetables.

"I had asked my grandpa this year, are we going to do the same varieties or are we going to do different. And he told me we are doing heirloom tomatoes and Armenian cucumbers along with corn and cabbage and snap peppers," Jessie said.

Dicky Don Produce will be open Friday through Saturday this week but will be closed on the Fourth of July.

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