For more than 30 years, Josh Allen’s family has cultivated melons and other row crops on their farm in California’s rural Central Valley.
In high school, the Buffalo Bills star quarterback and NFL MVP was a member of Future Farmers of America, The Sporting News reported, and spent time working on the family farm, “digging ditches and hacking away at weeds.”
Starting Sept. 14, while supplies last, Tops Friendly Markets stores will be selling cantaloupes and honeydew melons under the new JA17 Allen Family Farms label, a partnership with Westside Produce.
A portion of proceeds will go to the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
“The entire Allen Family has been incredibly generous in supporting our children’s hospital in any way they can since Josh has been in Buffalo, and especially since the Patricia Allen Fund was established in his grandmother’s honor,” hospital president Stephen Turkovich, M.D., said. “Donations like this help our teams have the equipment, technology and programs needed to support the kids and families we care for.”
Said Jeff Cady, vice president of produce and floral for Tops: “Bringing these melons to our stores is about more than taste. It’s about strengthening the community and supporting the children and families who need it most at a hospital we’re incredibly fortunate to have right in our own backyard.”
Tops has 15 locations in the greater Rochester area.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Josh Allen’s family-grown melons now available at Tops