Fresh Crop ReportWEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

To learn more about Markon brands, please contact your sales representative | markon.com

Highlights• Markon First Crop®

(MFC) Premium Romaine Lettuce weights are higher on average than the rest of the industry (36 to 40 pounds compared with 33 to 38 pounds).

• Expect eastern veg-etable production to be heavily impacted by significant rainfall and strong winds caused by Hurricane Florence. Prices will rise.

• Join Markon guest operator Chef Jean-Francois Fortin in this video as he explains how Ready-Set-Serve® (RSS) Heart-Y Slaw came to fruition and how to create a variety of on-trend dishes filmed during the 2017 Chef Summit.

Menu FeatureEvery chef needs a few solid recipes in his or her repertoire. That’s why Markon has put together a catalog of fresh produce-based recipes that cover it all: day- and menu-parts, the range of seasons, a variety of cuisines, and a diverse list of ingredients.

Arugula and Blue Cheese SaladThis salad blends zesty RSS Wild Arugula with the sweetness of MFC Cherry Tomatoes and the unique flavors of blue cheese.

Get the full recipe >

Tips for Serving Green Bell Peppers• Fill roasted MFC Green Bell Peppers with basil-flavored

quinoa salad.

• Mix lump crab meat, minced MFC Green Bell Peppers, fresh ginger, and cilantro mayonnaise; bread crab cakes with panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) and lightly fry.

• Shred MFC Green and Red Bell Peppers into cole slaw; serve with burgers or sandwiches.

Browse additional usage tips >

Ask a Markon ChefMarkon has gathered a group of our member- and grower-affiliated chefs to answer your questions about produce.Ask us your most challenging cooking inquiries online >

FEATURED QUESTION

Q: Apples are a sign of the seasonal shift. What is your favorite savory preparation?

A: I like to mix diced MFC Apples with sweet potatoes and sweet onions. Toss it all with some olive oil and season with garlic, salt, and pepper. Place in a cast iron skillet and roast until everything is cooked and slightly caramelized. This is a great accompaniment to pork or just as is.

• Accent brown rice or stuffing with fresh cranberries, sauteed MFC Mushrooms, and chopped MFC Granny Smith Apples.

• Top potato soup with sauteed MFC Braeburn Apples, RSS Sliced Onions, MFC Mushrooms, and MFC Thyme.

• Mix diced MFC Gala Apples with cinnamon and butter; stuff under skin of Cornish game hens; bake.

Chef Patrick Mitchell, Markon Member Chef

CONFIDENCE IN EVERY CASE.

To learn more about Markon brands, please contact your sales representative | markon.com

Fresh Crop ReportWEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

ApplesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$WA ^^^ ***** $$$

Washington storage crop MFC Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious Apples remain on the market. Supplies of storage MFC Golden Delicious stocks are winding down. New crop Washington MFC Gala Apples are on the market. MFC Fuji, Gold Delicious, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious will become available next week. Packer label Honeycrisps are available now.

AsparagusRegion Supplies Quality Price

MEX ^^^ ***** $$$PERU ^^^ ***** $$$

High prices persist. Production in Baja, Mexico is ramping up. Peruvian supplies are available, but scarce. Quality is average: spears are deep green and tips are compact. MFC Asparagus is available.

AvocadosRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX ^^^ ***** $$$

Although the California season is winding down, Mexican stocks are meeting demand; the market is level. Quality is good: oil content is low at this time of year, but will increase as the Mexican season progresses. RSS Avocado Chunks, Halves, Pico de Gallo Guacamole, and Pure Pulp are available.

Bells: GreenRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX/TX ^^^ ***** $$$

MI ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are stable; supplies are plentiful, but may begin to tighten due to the East Coast’s hurricane, Florence. Quality is excellent in all harvesting areas: skins are smooth with few scars and flavor is mildly zesty. MFC and Markon Essentials® (ESS) Choice Bell Peppers are on the market.

Bells: Red and YellowRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is low; stocks are sufficient. Quality is very good: peppers are deeply colored and subtly sweet. MFC and ESS Red Bell Peppers are available.

BlackberriesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are unchanged. California supplies are past peak production and will soon start diminishing. Mexican stocks will meet demand. Quality is very good in both growing regions: berries are plump and juicy with sweet, yet slightly tangy flavor. Sugar levels range from 12 to 13 Brix.

BlueberriesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is steady. Stocks are most plentiful in California, but Mexican volume will rise later this month. Domestic quality is best: berries are deep blue with a slight blush and sweet, yet tangy flavor.

BroccoliRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX/TX ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are inching down. California supplies are increasing, but Mexican stocks are down due to rain. Overall quality is fair: hollow core and pin rot are minor issues. MFC Broccoli Crowns are sporadic; Markon Best Available® (MBA) will be substituted as necessary.

Let your customers unwrap this aromatic banana-leaf package filled with steamed fish, hearty mushrooms, and an umami- rich sauce.

Produce HighlightsAvocados

• Although the California season is winding down, Mexican stocks are meeting demand.

• The market is level.

Tree Fruit

• Prices for nectarines, peaches, and plums are slowly climbing.

• The domestic season will run another one to two weeks.

Strawberries• Expect higher prices.

• Supplies from the Salinas/Watsonville, California growing region are limited.

To learn more about Markon brands, please contact your sales representative | markon.com

Fresh Crop ReportWEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

CantaloupeRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are weak; stocks are abundant. Quality is excellent: sugar levels vary from 12 to 14 Brix. MFC Cantaloupe Melons are available.

CauliflowerRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is inching down; supplies are increasing. Quality is average: creamy color is an occasional issue. ESS Cauliflower is available.

CeleryRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MI ^^^ ***** $$$

Rain may cause the Michigan season to end early, pushing up West Coast prices. Quality is very good: pith and growth cracking are occasional problems. MFC Celery is available.

CucumbersRegion Supplies Quality Price

MEX/CA ^^^ ***** $$$

MI ^^^ ***** $$$NC ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is up; supplies are tight and will become more limited after Hurricane Florence hits. Quality is good: heat and rain are causing slight imperfections. MFC Cucumbers are sporadic; packer label will be shipped as needed.

GrapesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are level; stocks are sufficient. Quality is very good: green seedless sugar levels range from 17 to 18 Brix, while red seedless and portion-packed levels vary from 18 to 20 Brix. MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes are available.

Green Leaf/Variety LettuceRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is steady; supplies are sufficient. Quality is starting to rebound. Humidity has caused aphid pressure and mildew; harvesting crews are removing damaged leaves. MFC Premium Green Leaf Lettuce is available.

HoneydewRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are weak; volume is high. Quality is very good: occasionally, melons will have large seed cavities. Sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix. MFC Honeydew Melons are available.

Iceberg LettuceRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is low; supplies are sufficient. Quality is fair; aphid pressure and mildew remain issues. MFC Premium Iceberg Lettuce is sporadic; MBA is being substituted as necessary.

LemonsRegion Supplies Quality Price

ARG ^^^ ***** $$$CA ^^^ ***** $$$

CHILE ^^^ ***** $$$MEX ^^^ ***** $$$

High prices persist; stocks are extremely tight. The market will ease once the Arizona/California desert season begins. MFC Lemons are sporadic; ESS and packer label will be shipped as necessary.

LimesRegion Supplies Quality Price

MEX/TX ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is steady. Supplies are adequate; small sizes are most plentiful. Quality is average: Markon recommends ordering for quick turns at this time of year. MFC and ESS Limes are available.

OnionsRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$CO ^^^ ***** $$$ID ^^^ ***** $$$OR ^^^ ***** $$$UT ^^^ ***** $$$WA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are low; stocks are sufficient. Supplies are dominated by jumbo and colossal sizes. MFC Red and Yellow Onions are available and currently being grown in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Packer label stocks from California and Colorado are on the market also.

OrangesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$FL ^^^ ***** $$$TX ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is escalating. Domestic California Valencia stocks are extremely tight. Limited quantities of 88-count and smaller domestic Valencias will be on the market into October; offshore MFC and ESS Valencias are sporadic. The California Navel season will start in late October.

PearsRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$WA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are level. MFC Washington Bartlett and D’Anjou Pears are available. New crop California Bartletts remain on the market; sizes run large. Sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix.

PineappleRegion Supplies Quality Price

CR ^^^ ***** $$$MEX/TX ^^^ ***** $$$

The market remains high; supplies are tight in both growing regions. Quality is very good: sugar levels vary from 13 to 16 Brix.

Fresh Crop ReportWEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

To learn more about Markon brands, please contact your sales representative | markon.com

®

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS). Table-ready fruits & vegetables.

Backed by 5-Star.

Markon First Crop (MFC). Whole fresh fruits &

vegetables. Backed by 5-Star.

5-Star Food Safety. Addressing quality and safety at five key points.

Markon Essentials (ESS). No.2 grade value-focused

brand. Quality, food safety, and consistency in every box. Backed by 5-Star.

®

PotatoesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CO ^^^ ***** $$$ID ^^^ ***** $$$OR ^^^ ***** $$$

TX ^^^ ***** $$$WA ^^^ ***** $$$WI ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is low; supplies are abundant. MFC Idaho Norkotah Potatoes are available; the crop is dominated by 70- through 100-count sizes. Large potatoes, 40- through 60-count are tight. Quality is excellent, limiting No. 2 grade stocks. New crop Burbank production will start in late September/early October.

RaspberriesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are weak; stocks are plentiful. Quality is very good: berries are plump and sweet. Sugar levels range from 13 to 14 Brix.

RomaineRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is low; Salinas Valley stocks are ample. Quality is very good: leaves affected by decay and internal burn are being trimmed at the field level. MFC Premium Romaine Lettuce is sporadic; MBA is being substituted as necessary.

Salads & BlendsRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are level; iceberg and romaine supplies are sufficient. Markon inspectors continue to closely monitor pack-outs for chunks and core material to minimize potential problems before shipment.

Spring MixRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Although volume remains low and prices are higher than normal, quality is starting to rebound. Humid weather has caused mildew problems, negatively impacting shelf-life, but temperatures are shifting. RSS Conventional and Organic Spring Mixes are available.

SquashRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

GA ^^^ ***** $$$MI ^^^ ***** $$$NC ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are up; yields have fallen. Expect stocks to remain tight due to the rain and strong winds of Hurricane Florence. Quality is average: scarring is an issue. MFC Squash is not available at this time.

StrawberriesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Expect higher markets. Supplies from the Salinas/Watsonville, California growing region are past peak production. Santa Maria stocks will ramp up over the next few weeks. Cold-chain management remains critical to maximizing shelf-life through the hot summer and early fall months. Quality is very good. MFC Strawberries are available.

TomatoesRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$MEX ^^^ ***** $$$MI ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are stable to slightly higher than last week. Overall stocks are tightening due to rain in Mexico and Hurricane Florence on the East Coast. Overall quality is good: fruit is firm, tangy, and juicy. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Tree FruitRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$

Prices are slowly climbing. The domestic nectarine and peach seasons will run another one to two weeks; plums will be on the market through October. Quality is very good: nectarine and peach sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix, while plums vary from 12 to 16 Brix.

WatermelonRegion Supplies Quality Price

CA ^^^ ***** $$$GA ^^^ ***** $$$MI ^^^ ***** $$$NC ^^^ ***** $$$TX ^^^ ***** $$$

The market is low; most supplies are ample. A few melons may be odd-shaped, but quality is very good. Sugar levels range from 11 to 12 Brix.