News and Stories

Light, periodic rain fell throughout the day on Sunday, March 1 and intensified in the late evening and throughout the night in the Arizona/California desert growing region. Continued morning showers today will add to overnight rainfall totals. Markon inspectors are currently evaluating fields and will update again mid-morning as to how much rain has fallen and how harvesting crews are handling the wet conditions. 

Although growers packed commodity lettuce and tender leaf orders ahead in anticipation of the rain, they will be working to keep cartons and product as clean and dry as possible for any orders that need to be completed today. Elevated levels of dirt/mud in or on cartons may occur, as well as production and loading delays.

Some potential rain-related quality and/or shelf life concerns that may develop in commodity and value-added lettuce and tender leaf items include the following:

• Bottom rot

• Higher respiration rates in value-added items

• Increased mildew pressure

• Premature pinking

• Shortened shelf life

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

John Galvez

Quality Assurance

markon.com

©2015 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.