A new trend in foodservice is the growing use of food trucks, long the domain of independent operators, by major restaurant chains and franchises. It is a concept that has become a significant growth area for Idaho potatoes, according to Don Odiorne, vice president of foodservice for the commission.

Sizzler, Red Robin and Jack-in-the-Box are among “a number of chains that have gotten into this,” Mr. Odiorne said.

In addition, “some of the star chefs are now doing street trucks,” he said.

California’s kiwifruit industry expects volume decreases on the order of approximately 20 percent this season. Chris Kragie, deciduous fruit manager for Western Fresh Marketing in Madera, CA, said difficult weather is responsible for some of the impact to the 2012 crop.

“As an industry we have been hit by freeze and hail this growing season,” Mr. Kragie told The Produce News on Sept. 5. “This has created some loss in the orchards.”

Tony Vitrano, president of Tony Vitrano Co., located on the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD, told The Produce News that the company has always handled western fruits and vegetables, but it is now sourcing from growing regions around the country, in addition to western areas.

Misionero Vegetables has unveiled a new carton design for its products, marking a new direction for the Gonzales, CA-based company as it aligns its corporate "Misionero" brand with its "Earth Greens Organics" and "Garden Life" brands.

Awe Sum Organics, a Santa Cruz, CA-based importer and shipper of a wide range of organic fruits, has unveiled a new logo and will relaunch its website in mid-October.

Founded by David Posner, who serves as president and chief executive officer, Awe Sum has been in business promoting sustainability through organic agriculture since 1985. As one of the larger organic fruit suppliers in North America, the firm mainly represents growers from the Southern Hemisphere so that retailers in North America can have a steady, year-round supply of fresh, flavorful organic fruit.

“We are happy to announce that we are now marketing ‘Southern Selects’ hand peeled Brussels sprouts, a new item for our company,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News. “We are growing the item in Guatemala, and we’re offering a variety of pack sizes.”