Certain Salinas Valley-grown baby leaf items such as Baby Spinach and Arugula are currently experiencing quality and shelf-life challenges related to the recent rain and cooler temperatures followed by a significant heat spike. These items are very sensitive to temperature fluctuations and excess moisture which can cause brittleness, yellowing, inconsistent leaf size, and in some cases, early breakdown. Suppliers expect to experience quality challenges through the end of May on tender leaf items.

Additionally, Markon inspectors have observed specialty salad items as Kale Color Crunch with substandard shelf-life performance. The carrot and red cabbage components are still being sourced from the desert region which has been receiving abnormally high temperatures, stressing the crops and reducing shelf-life. The reduced shelf-life will likely continue until we make the jump from the desert to the Salinas Valley for the raw product source utilized to make Kale Color Crunch sometime in early-to mid-June. Until then, Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Kale Color Crunch will not be available; packer brand will be substituted.           

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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