News and Stories

California’s coastal growing regions, including Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard, continue to experience unseasonably hot weather conditions today. While temperatures will ease later this week, quality problems are expected to develop in broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces, strawberries, and tender leaf items.   

• Dehydration, insect pressure, internal burn, and long core/seeders are potential issues in green leaf, iceberg, and romaine
• Burn, increased respiration rates, insect damage, and reduced shelf-life could develop in tender leaf products
• Heat can also stunt the growth of commodities like broccoli and cauliflower
• Brown bead and hollow core issues may increase in broccoli stocks
• Cauliflower heads may become less compact
• Strawberry supplies are significantly impacted by high temperatures; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Harvesting hours are being reduced due to extreme heat
• Size will decrease, resulting in lower yields (fewer cases per acre)
• Heat-related quality issues include bruising/bleeding, softness, and shortened shelf-life

Markon inspectors are working with suppliers to select the best lots available for our orders. Please remember that maintaining the cold chain is critical to maximizing the quality and shelf-life of commodity and value-added produce items.

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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