The food truck phenomenon has taken the country by storm. From New York to Los Angeles, the number, the variety, and the quality of food trucks are on the rise.

In 2011, the mobile food industry in the United States was estimated to be at $630 million. I think this sum dramatically underestimates the size of the industry. I believe that the mobile food industry in New York City alone is at least $450 million. The National Restaurant Association stated in 2011 that food trucks are the single fastest growing sector of the restaurant industry.

If you have any doubts, you can see this for yourself on the streets. Fans are queuing up across the country for tasty food from local trucks. According to an American Express survey, the percentage of respondents who had visited a food truck doubled, from 13 percent in August 2009 to 26 percent in July 2010.

From Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race (a cross-country food-truck trek) to the Cooking Channel’s Eat Street, media coverage on popular television shows reflects the food truck phenomenon. Zagat’s inclusion of food truck for the first time in its 2011 New York City Restaurants guide has helped make food trucks an integral part of contemporary city life.

We all know that Walmart has killed many local family-run businesses, although at least they’re now teaming up with Michelle Obama to help local farmers. It’s a step in the right direction for sure.

In certain parts of the U.S., you can’t turn a corner without bumping into a farmer’s market or grocery store. But there are plenty of spots in the country where consumers lack these options and are instead forced to shop at junk food-filled convenience stores.

Walmart announced this week that it will open up to 300 new locations over the next five years in food deserts across the country as part of an initiative spearheaded by Michelle Obama. These locations, along with the 218 stores in food deserts that Walmart has opened over the past four years, will serve 1.3 million people–many of whom have no other option for fresh produce and unprocessed foods other than Walmart. The company is, in other words, virtually guaranteed to be the biggest grocer in these locations (Walmart already makes up 25% of grocery sales nationwide).

“By opening stores where customers need them most, Walmart will help build healthier families and stronger communities. We believe every single person should have access to an abundant selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price,” said Leslie Dach, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Walmart, in a statement.”

The food desert plan is part of a larger plan by Walmart to make local, healthy food more accessible to customers. Walmart recently announced plans to double sales of fresh produce sourced from local farms in U.S. stores by the end of 2015. The company also expects to invest over $1 billion in its global fresh food supply chain over the next five years.

Obesity rates are steadily climbing so at least the superstore is providing some healthy options.

via @fastcompany

This Australian McDonald’s is emblematic of the global retaurants chain’s new design direction. | Photograph Courtesy of McDonald’s NDG Australia.

Designer: Denis Weil adds flair to McDonald’s plate while being ever mindful to operations. | Photograph by Christopher Sturman

Coming out of Africa the baobab, which is a vitamin and mineral-packed fruit that so far has only been enjoyed by locals, but is now being exported for jams. This may just throw all those acai-powered smoothie shops and drinks out of business.

Only in America: a foot-long cheeseburger.

A cheeseburger sold as a foot-long sandwich, with three burgers and three cheese slices, is being tested at 50 Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Southern California and 50 Hardees units in Indiana. That’s the same chain that introduced the world to the 1,400-calorie Monster Burger and the Monster Breakfast Sandwich, with 47 grams of fat. You can always share it with 3 people. Right?

Yup Robot waiters. The owner, Lapassarad Thanaphant, decided that she wanted a Japanese restaurant, and instead of hiring a wait-staff, she set it up with samurai robots. It’s called the Hajime restaurant in Thailand. They spent about $930,000.00 to get this restaurant going. Check this video out.

Just feeling hungry, that’s all.