CHICAGO -- While eastern and western apple-growing states are forecasting slight decreases in production, a surge in the Midwest, most notably in Michigan, should result in a 2011 U.S. apple crop that is slightly larger than this past year's.

Information released Aug. 11 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts a national crop totaling 226.471 million bushels, or 42-pound units, for the 2011-12 season. If the estimate is accurate, this will be the nation's 18th largest crop on record.

MONT-TREMBLANT, QC -- Surprised that he had not already received the honor, George Pitsikoulis, president of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc. and 2010-11 president of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association, officially named Leo Arsenault, whose storied career in the produce industry has most recently found him representing Quebec for the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corp., the 2011 Pillar of the Industry in Quebec at the Saturday, Aug. 20, closing banquet at the 64th annual QPMA Annual Convention, here.

Much like the sellers of Hass avocados and mangos, the many different suppliers of asparagus sold in the United States are currently talking about putting together a federal promotion program for asparagus.

The idea is in its early stages, but a Washington, DC, lobbyist is working on the concept, and Peruvian asparagus importers, most of which also handle grass from Mexico, are aware of the idea and seem to support it.

In an effort to continue its leadership role in the single-serve salad segment, Ready Pac Foods Inc., based in Irwindale, CA, has bolstered its product development team with the hiring of Chef Thomas Helsel as its new executive research chef.

GREG MILLHORN has joined the South San Francisco branch of Coast Tropical, a wholesaler that handles a full line of tropical and domestic fruits. He is currently a buyer and a salesperson.

Idaho supermodel Chelsey Hersley, runner-up in the 2011 Cycle 15 of CW network’s “America’s Next Top