Markon Celebrates 40 Years of Foodservice Innovation

February 2, 2026 | 2 min to read

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Mark Shaw, vice president operations, Markon, leads an industry tour in 2002. PHOTO COURTESY MARKON

Founded in 1985 in the Salinas Valley, CA, Markon Cooperative Inc. will reach its 40th anniversary milestone in November. From the beginning, Markon set out to provide solutions for foodservice operators. They were the first to create foodservice-specific brands, introduce specialized cuts and packs, provide timely market and product information tools, and initiate food safety metrics.

Since then, they have continued to champion the unique needs of operators across North America. And because Markon’s five broadline distributor members span the U.S. and Canada, they deliver quality, consistency and dependability, no matter the location.

“With Markon, you can feel confident that your fruit and vegetable products come from the most dependable growers in the industry, growers that Markon has built strong relationships with over our more than 40 years in business,” says Andy Hamilton, chief executive.

Markon’s quality control efforts begin in the field. Examining lettuce in 1986 are (standing, L-R) Ronnie Wallace, president, and Bill Sheid, vice president, Ben E. Keith Co.; and Gary Walsh, president, Miller Cascade Inc. In the foreground are Markon Executive Vice President David Eldredge and Paul Gordon, president, Gordon Food Service. PHOTO COURTESY MARKON

The company officially kicked off its year of celebrations at the May board of directors’ meeting in Monterey, CA. The three-day event brought together Markon leadership and representatives from all five of their independent foodservice member companies: Ben E. Keith, Gordon Food Service, Gordon Food Service Canada, Nicholas & Company and Shamrock Foods.

“Markon was created to bring value to our member companies by educating growers about the real-life needs of foodservice customers in the areas of packaging, pack sizes, product information, promotions and new products,” says Hamilton. “Over the past four decades, we’ve set many milestones that keep us uniquely positioned to anticipate and respond to the rapidly evolving fresh produce demands of the foodservice industry.”

Showing no signs of stopping, Markon has bold plans for the next 40 years, focusing on product innovation, food safety, sustainability, community support and multi-unit account development.