Coinciding with the much-anticipated theatrical release of Disney Pixar’s “Cars 2” and its retailed video game, Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA, will be promoting dark sweet cherries in a two-pound “Cars 2” bag.

According to Mac Riggan, vice president of marketing for Chelan, the video game will be released on June 21, followed by the movie on June 24. Chelan’s cherries ship during the mid-June through August window, and Mr. Riggan said the market window is perfect for the “Cars 2” tie-in.

PEAKfreshUSA, headquartered in Lake Forest, CA, is providing the Northwest cherry industry with state-of-the-art packaging options. President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Ganzerla said that the company will bring the same innovative products to the region that have been available to California’s cherry growers since 2007.

While most watermelon producers have had a dicey spring, things have been pretty much right on target for Dulcinea Farms LLC in Ladera Ranch, CA, with its lineup of full-sized “Ruby Bliss” and “PureHeart” mini watermelons and Tuscan-style “White Bliss” white-netted cantaloupe.

The Tom Lange Co. Inc. in Springfield, IL, has some advantages in the watermelon business, and it is well-positioned to make use of them this spring. Not only is the company in its fourth season as a licensed distributor for Dole Food Co. Inc., it also controls its own transportation needs via its Lange Logistics subsidiary.

Cool weather in California’s Imperial Valley has meant a slower start than usual to the watermelon season for Pappas & Co. in Mendota, CA, with full volume not expected to come on until around June 5, according to sales manager Rodney Van Bebber.

Pappas grows picnic, icebox, seedless and yellow-flesh watermelons on 240 acres in the California desert and 400 acres in Central California — and has for going on 75 years. The Central California deal is expected to begin on time, Mr. Van Bebber said.

Arnold Mack, owner of McMelon Inc. in Lake Wales, FL, has plenty of watermelons, but like all early-season growers this year, he is waiting for demand to arrive. A cool and rainy spring in the Northeast has hampered watermelon sales so far this season.