News and Stories

Elevated temperatures in the Salinas Valley over the past several weeks have caused lingering quality issues in commodity, value-added, and washed and trimmed romaine packs. Normal temperatures are forecast through early next week, which will help minimize quality issues.

Markon First Crop (MFC) Romaine

• Expect varying levels of quality this week as heat spikes over the past four weeks have caused problems such as fringe burn, insect damage, mildew, seeder (up to three inches), and sunscald
• Average to below average temperatures are forecast through early next week; light showers are possible on Sunday, October 4
• Increasing supplies will keep romaine prices stable through early next week
• Light rain followed by higher temperatures this weekend will impact raw product supplies for next week
• MFC Green Leaf and Romaine are sporadic; Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Romaine

• Pinking will increase due to weaker raw product
• Sporadic internal burn and small core pieces may be present in bags, potentially shortening shelf-life
• Light rain followed by higher temperatures this weekend will impact raw product supplies for next week
• RSS and Washed & Trimmed Romaine packs are available

Markon inspectors are monitoring quality very closely and will report any changes. Maintaining the cold chain is critical; ordering for quick turns is recommended. Suppliers are making harvesting/processing adjustments in order to minimize issues.

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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