The official estimate from the California Agricultural Statistics Service for the 2009-10 California Navel crop is 80 million cartons (37.5 pound equivalent), up 16 percent from last year but well under the record 95 million-pound crop of 2007-08. In other words, California is looking at a moderate-sized Navel crop this year.

According to CASS, 78 million cartons of California's forecasted 80 million for the coming crop will come from District One, which is the San Joaquin Valley, with the remaining 2 million coming from elsewhere in the state.

USA Bouquet Co. is taking another giant step, this time to the West Coast, as it merges with two growers supplying supermarkets and retail florists there.

In recent years, USA Bouquet, a national firm supplying cut-flower bouquets and arrangements nationwide, has opened full-service regional production facilities to locate its operations closer to its markets. Its headquarters are in Miami.

BRONX, NY -- Although the weather was unseasonably cold and damp, the atmosphere was warm and inviting at the Hunts Point Economic Development Corp.'s 22nd annual business reception, known locally as the Hunts Point Tent Party, held here Oct. 15 on the grounds New Fulton Fish Market at Hunts Point.

Several local dignitaries addressed approximately 350 people who attended the event, which is a celebration of the food industry at one of the larger food distribution centers in the country.

Tree fruit industry veteran Keith Mathews, who is currently executive director of the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, was hired by FirstFruits of Washington at the beginning of October as its new chief executive officer.

Mr. Mathews is currently wrapping up his official duties with the association, where he has worked a total of seven years during two separate stints - from 1989 to 1994 and again from 2007 to 2009.

California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, CA, a trade association representing growers who farm more than 200,000 combined acres of citrus, is involved in dealing with assorted issues of concern to its members.

Sergio Chamberlain, formerly chief executive officer and sales manager of Meyer LLC in Nogales, AZ, left Meyer Sept. 22 after nearly eight years with the company to start his own produce business. It was something he said he has dreamed of doing since he got his first job as an on-ground buyer for a small company 20 years ago.