News and Stories

FROM THE FIELDS: ICEBERG LETTUCE QUALITY

March 09, 2021

Erratic February weather in the Arizona/California desert growing region that included rain, gusty winds, freezing temperatures, and heat have caused some cosmetic and internal quality issues in iceberg lettuce crops. Other lettuce crops such as romaine and green leaf have not been nearly as impacted.

Harvesting crews are able to trim off the discolored protection leaves and eliminate most of the frost damage, and mildew damage, but some defects such as rib blight and weak tip are found deeper in the head and require even more trimming, reducing case weights and causing a more pale color profile. Once trimmed, quality is still very good, but we can expect a small percentage of rib blight and/or mildew damage in some packs for approximately two more weeks.

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
 
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