The Spring 2016 issue of United’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice report, a quarterly report from United Fresh showcasing the latest innovations in fresh produce use in foodservice, explores how innovative chefs and foodservice operations are adding fresh fruits and vegetables to create flavorful and vibrant menus. This issue reports on the menu growth for Meyer lemons, how chefs are incorporating fennel and asparagus to their dishes and how produce plays a starring role in Mexican entrees and Southern cuisine. The report’s updated MenuTrends system has been expanded to include fast casual restaurants, and restaurant data has been further segmented by chains, regional restaurants, independent restaurants and food trucks.

Fresh Insightsalso looks at how produce plays a role in the modernization of hospital dining.

“Hotel and healthcare formats represent important consumer sectors for the fresh produce industry,” says Jeff Oberman, vice president of trade relations at United Fresh and liaison to the United Fresh’s Retail-Foodservice Board. “The Spring 2016 Fresh Insights for Foodservice highlights sector trends and provides the unique perspective from Chef Nazim Khan, Bryan Health System, a United Fresh 2016 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards winner.”

The report also includes information on top chain menu trends, including cabbage, salsa and potatoes. Additionally, the report cites new menu introductions at chains including Houlihan’s, Panera Bread Co., Which Wich, The Green Turtle, Atlanta Bread Co., Sbarro, Steak N’Shake and QuickChek.

The concept for the Fresh Insights for Foodservice report was initiated by United Fresh’s Retail-Foodservice Board as a resource for United Fresh members to gain a comprehensive look at how chefs and restaurants are incorporating fresh produce on their menus. The report is developed by Datassential, a leading market research firm dedicated to the food Industry, using data from its extensive menu database, MenuTrends.

The publication is organized in four core sections, including Fresh Flavors, which shows in-depth profiles of trending produce items; Menu Intelligence, featuring up-to-date information on how produce is being used in different menu items; Chain Report, which focuses on produce’s role in new menu items; and View From Above, offering a look into produce usage in a particular trend within the foodservice industry.

Fresh Insights for Foodserviceis free to United Fresh members and $50 to non-members. To order the report, visit www.unitedfresh.org