Technomic, a recognized and experienced food industry consulting and research firm in Chicago, released its Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report March 25, providing the company's exclusive five-year sales forecast by menu category; update on franchise and international activity; five-, 10- and 20- year trend analyses; outlook for the future; and market share by menu category.

While the report indicated that the 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains registered an overall decline in annual sales of 0.8 percent in 2009, there were also some impressive bright spots.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Sustainability means different things to different people, but for growers, marketers and others in the fresh produce industry, what major buyers and public policy advocates mean by sustainability may well take precedent in an individual company's operations over what that company might, internally, consider to be sustainable practices.

On Friday, April 23, the final day of the United Fresh 2010 convention, here, the entire day was devoted to the Global Conference on Produce Sustainability.

WASHINGTON -- Produce businesses may be pushed to the front lines in a polarizing battle over a controversial Arizona immigration law.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer approved a new law April 23 that requires police to check the immigration status of individuals they "reasonably suspect" may be in the country illegally. Immigrants unable to produce documents showing they are allowed to be in the United States can be arrested, jailed and fined, and those found to be in the country illegally may be turned over to federal immigration officials.

The Chilean kiwifruit industry, made up of growers, packers and exporters representing more than 85 percent of Chile's fresh kiwifruit exports, have joined forces and formed the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee. The new organization will address such important concerns as production, quality control and post-harvest practices in addition to fielding marketing and promotion programs.

With the 27th annual tribute to Walla Walla sweet onions set to take place July 16 and 17 in downtown Walla Walla, WA, organizers are anticipating approximately 10,000 attendees over the two-day event.

Moreover, according to Kathy Fry-Trommald, marketing director for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, some of those planning to join the festivities are traveling considerable distances to do so.

Mike Locati, chairman of the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, has his fingers crossed that 2010 will be another banner year for Washington's signature sweet onion. "Last year turned out to be one of our better years yield-wise and quality-wise," he told The Produce News April 22. "We just couldn't do anything wrong in the field."