Foodservice Director Megan McKenna Promoted, Takes on Additional Responsibilities

Press Release

WINTER SPRINGS, FL – July 2, 2019 – National Watermelon Promotion Board’s (NWPB)’s Director of Foodservice was recently promoted to Senior Director of Marketing and Foodservice. In this role, McKenna will perform various marketing duties for the Foodservice program including event activations, media relations, and providing operators with assistance with ideation, usage ideas, education and promotion support, to name a few. McKenna will also serve as the primary point of contact for consumer, retail, foodservice, nutrition and sustainability research.

Upon beginning her career at NWPB, McKenna was charged with the tremendous initiative of building an all-new Foodservice department. Since its inception in 2014, watermelon on menus has grown by 54%, according to Dataessentials MenuTrend Research, a biannual program also spearheaded by McKenna. She has been an integral part of the strategic planning and direction for the NWPB. Additionally, she is responsible for developing NWPB’s culinary curriculum, a program for chefs and educators that is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.

“Megan has accomplished so much for the NWPB since we hired her,” said Mark Arney, Executive Director at NWPB. “Thanks to her, watermelon is being promoted in the foodservice sector showing significant gains year over year since her arrival. She is definitely deserving of this promotion and we are fortunate to have such a talented individual as part of our great staff.”

Prior to her time at NWPB, McKenna worked at the National Mango Board for eight years, most recently as the Director of Marketing in 2014. She is an active committee member of the International Foodservice Editorial Council, a group dedicated to connecting communications professionals and foodservice media.

Download This Release

About National Watermelon Promotion Board

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 700 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

A serving of nutrient-dense watermelon provides an excellent source of Vitamin C (25% DV), a source of Vitamin B6 (8% DV), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was nearly 15.5 pounds in 2022. Watermelon consumption in the United States was nearly 5.2 billion pounds in 2022. The United States exported an additional 328 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

Comments

Recent Press Releases

Key Shopper Behaviors Drive Growth of Watermelon Category

The U.S. watermelon category has experienced strong growth over the last year, with households across the country making an estimated $2.7 billion in fresh watermelon purchases.

Read More
Watermelon for All: NWPB Keeps Marine Corps Marathon Hydrated for the 11th Year

National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) participated in the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) for the 11th consecutive year. Known as “The People’s Marathon,” the MCM is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of October and stands out as the largest marathon worldwide that does not offer prize money. Instead, it champions a spirited community experience, highlighted by the distribution of refreshing watermelon. This year, 16 pallets of fresh watermelon were enjoyed by participants and supporters from every U.S. state and numerous countries at the Finisher’s Festival, celebrating their marathon achievements.

Read More
National Watermelon Promotion Board Announces Winners of 2024 Retail Merchandising Contest, Highlighting Creativity and Consumer Engagement

National Watermelon Promotion Board has named the winners of
its annual Retail Merchandising Contest, including Grand Prize Winner, Gelson’s Market #23.

Read More