Temperatures in the Salinas Valley have cooled after a very warm June. However, humidity levels have been well-above normal all week and high pressure is building again, setting us up for heatwave conditions to return through the weekend and into next week. The high humidity and returning heat is compounding the quality and shelf-life issues that Markon inspectors have been observing in various commodity and value-added items. Markon First Crop Lettuce and Romaine items are sporadic; Markon Best Available is being substituted as needed.
Below is a list of quality and shelf-life concerns that are currently being noted in commodity and value-added packs:
Baby Leaf and Other Lettuces:
- Bolting/seeder
- Growth cracks
- Inconsistent growth/fluctuating density
- Increased insect pressure
- Internal burn/tip burn
- Shortened shelf-life
- Sun burn/sun scalding
Broccoli:
- Accelerated growth/oversized crowns
- Dehydration
- Hollow core
- Pin rot
- Shortened shelf-life
- Yellowing
Strawberries:
- Decreased size
- Lower volume
- Increased bruising
- Soft texture
- Shortened shelf-life
Markon inspectors continue to work with suppliers to allocate the best product for our orders. Maintaining the cold chain throughout distribution is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life.
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
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