CERRITOS, CA — A trio of food bloggers was involved in a panel discussion about their choice of work at the membership luncheon of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, held Oct. 10, here.

Jin Ju Wilder of Status Gro in Pasadena, CA, led the three Southern California women in a discussion about where they get their information and how produce industry firms can get involved in a food blog.

Pro Citrus Network, based in Visalia, CA, announced a citrus packing partnership with Reedley, CA-based Huebert Farms. PCN has packed fruit with Huebert Farms for the past three years but has grown its citrus program out of Central California to the point where it will be the majority citrus grower and handler at Huebert's facility this year.

As the total consumption of avocados in the U.S. market continues to grow, “the Mexican deal is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the puzzle,” said Steve Taft, president of Eco Farms Avocados Inc. in Temecula, CA.

One reason for that is Chile, which harvests its avocados largely during Mexico’s peak season, does not come to the United States “with as much fruit as they used to,” he said. Chile has had “a series of short crops,” and in addition Chileans “have developed other markets.”

There are sound reasons for optimism about the global avocado situation for 2012-13, which, fittingly, have to do with volume, according to year-round distributor Phil Henry of Henry Avocado in Escondido, CA.

Wespak Sales has merged its sales and marketing activities with Rivermaid Trading Co., according to a joint statement released Oct. 17. The merger follows a 10-year working relationship between the two entities that began with fresh cherries and will now grow significantly to include other products.

RPE has added a microwaveable package to its line of Tasteful Selections specialty potatoes. The 16-ounce bags will be available to retailers nationwide after they are unveiled at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 26.