SALINAS, CA - An event that shines the spotlight on both foodservice and the community? Sounds right up the produce alley! Markon Cooperative held its eighth annual Taste of Markon Event this past Friday, September 22, at Rancho Cielo in Salinas, California, and it was certainly something to behold.

“Markon is dedicated to supporting our local Salinas Valley community. Through the annual fundraiser, we give back where we can to the folks who are so important to the agricultural and foodservice industries we serve,” said Nelia Alamo, Vice President of Marketing.

This year, the fundraiser dinner brought in close to $30,000 for scholarships, kitchen equipment, and tools of the trade all benefiting Rancho Cielo’s Drummond Culinary Academy, a non-profit that serves Monterey County’s at-risk youth.

Markon’s five member companies and their customer chefs created a one-of-a-kind strolling dinner alongside the schools’ culinary students. Hors d’oeuvres, seven delicious course stations, live music, and the region’s finest wines kept attendees entertained throughout the night. New to this year’s event was a silent auction full of coveted items and local experiences for diners to bid on.

More information about Rancho Cielo and how it is building skills and transforming lives can be found here.

For more ways that our industry is giving back to the community, keep clicking on the ANUK logo.

Markon Cooperative