News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Iceberg and Romaine Lettuce are limited; Markon Best Available is being substituted as needed.

After a brief reprieve from freezing temperatures on Wednesday, the December 31st, severe lettuce ice returned yesterday and again this morning, January 2. Growers in the Arizona/California desert growing region are facing major harvesting delays for lettuce, tender leaf, and other row crops. Some may not start harvesting until 12:30 PM (MST) due to temperatures that fell as low as the mid-20s.

The desert region has now received moderate-to-severe lettuce ice on seven out of the last eight mornings. Quality issues related to the freezing temperatures such as epidermal blister and peel began developing in lettuce items over the last few days. This defect will be common throughout the industry in the month of January. Younger crops that have been exposed to multiple freezes will exhibit poor quality in the weeks ahead.

The attached pictures taken over the last few days illustrate the effects from the freezing temperature that are developing in various lettuce crops. Markon inspectors will continue to monitor quality closely and will work with suppliers to select the best available product for Markon orders.

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

Blake Anderson
Quality Assurance
markon.com

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