Northeast
Banana-focused food truck in New Jersey serves up fruity, frozen treats: 'Clean and refreshing'
It may be time this spring and summer to consider giving the cold shoulder to ice cream, frozen yogurt and milkshakes and instead indulging in a fruity, health-centric frozen treat — at least according to the passionate co-owners of Amanda Bananas.
Found on Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Amanda Bananas food truck offers fruity, refreshing frozen treats.
Located adjacent to the shipyard marina in Hoboken, Pier 13 is a seasonal open-air waterfront beer garden with food trucks and entertainment offerings — all with breathtaking views of the New York City skyline.
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“We started Amanda Bananas on July 4, 2012, day one of Pier 13, with the fireworks on the Hudson, as a side business for the both of us,” said Steven DiPasquale, who co-owns Amanda Bananas with wife Amanda.
As the success of the business grew, Amanda DiPasquale left her job as a fifth-grade math teacher.
Amanda Bananas, based on Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey, offers soft-serve frozen fruit snacks. “We wanted to make a healthy alternative to ice cream that is all natural and tastes great,” said co-owner Steven DiPasquale. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
Steven DiPasquale, who worked in the hospitality business for more than 15 years, then decided to make Amanda Bananas their full-time business.
What’s fruit got to do with it?
Amanda Bananas is a soft-serve frozen fruit enterprise — and from the beginning the goal of the operation was clear.
“We wanted to make a healthy alternative ice cream that is all natural and tastes great,” said Steven DiPasquale.
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“Our product is made from 100% fruit, so the base is dairy free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan.”
“By eating a banana, you can Indulge your sweet tooth without ruining your diet. A banana averages only about 110 calories.”
The delicious treat is a healthier alternative to other snacks and treats, he said.
“Since our product is fruit-based with no added sugar, you don’t feel guilty,” said DiPasquale. “One 6 oz. serving is roughly 110 calories.”
The Strawberry CocoNana Smoothie from Amanda Bananas is a soft-serve frozen banana blended with strawberries and coconut water. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
On its website, Amanda Bananas notes that “by eating a banana, you can Indulge your sweet tooth without ruining your diet. A banana averages only about 110 calories.”
It also shares that “as with many fruits, bananas contain a good amount of vitamin C. One banana provides about 10 mg of vitamin C, or about 15% of your daily recommended amount. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and cell health and improves the absorption of other nutrients such as iron.”
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The truck’s soft-frozen fruit treat can be customized by patrons with more than 40 topping options.
“Amanda and I have watched families grow and literally watched children grow up before our eyes.”
Current choices for the bases are banana and mango/pineapple swirl.
In addition, the truck offers smoothies — which are blended with 100% natural coconut water, and “blurries,” which Steven DiPasquale said have a banana base with a blend of toppings.
Co-owners Steven DiPasquale and Amanda DiPasquale have a strong connection to Hoboken, New Jersey. Their food truck’s soft-frozen fruit treat can be customized by patrons with more than 40 topping options. (The Original Amanda Bananas )
When the married couple aren’t greeting and serving customers at the food truck at Pier 13, they do corporate events, weddings, birthdays, private events and more.
“We cater many corporate events during the week,” he told Fox News Digital.
“We also do a select number of food truck festivals throughout the season, and occasionally we will do some music festivals.”
Why is Hoboken their home base?
The pair’s history with Hoboken runs deep.
“Pier 13 loved our concept and wanted to support local small businesses,” said Steven DiPasquale.
The sun rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City as a person walks on a pier in the Hudson River on March 10, 2023, in Hoboken, New Jersey. “Hoboken is a great city because it feels like a small town, but it’s still a city,” said Steven DiPasquale of Amanda Bananas. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
“We also live in Hoboken — I’ve lived in Hoboken since 2001.”
DiPasquale also once owned a restaurant/lounge on Washington Street in town, prior to launching Amanda Bananas.
“Hoboken is a great city because it feels like a small town, but like I said, it’s still a city,” he said.
The Banana Cream Pie offering is a soft-serve frozen banana topped with crushed graham crackers, Nutella and whipped cream. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
“Amanda and I have watched families grow and literally watched children grow up before our eyes. We have families coming multiple times per week since we started in 2012. Kids in strollers or on their parents’ shoulders — and now they are teenagers coming to the truck on their own.”
What’s most popular on their menu?
The Banana Cream Pie variety is one of the most popular menu items.
“It’s our soft-serve frozen banana base topped with crushed graham crackers, Nutella and whipped cream,” DiPasquale said.
Another favorite pick? The CocoSwirl smoothie.
“This is extremely popular on hot summer days. It’s our soft-serve frozen mango pineapple base blended with 100% natural coconut water,” added DiPasquale.
The Amanda Bananas truck shown at Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey. The truck is there almost every day from May to September, weather permitting, the co-owners say. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
For those who want the classic, he noted that the Original Amanda Banana is still “very popular for those who have any allergies or just want a simple, clean, refreshing snack.”
The couple’s ambition to “spread the love” is also on their menu.
“We hope to expand to other markets in 2024,” said DiPasquale. He added, “You get back what you put in — and be prepared to have no days off,” he said.
He also said he works hard to make his products the best he can for their customer base.
The Original Amanda Banana is still “very popular for those who have allergies or just want a simple, clean, refreshing snack,” said the co-owners. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
“You get what you pay for, so don’t cheap out on equipment or quality ingredients,” he said. “Do it right the first time.”
The Amanda Bananas truck is at Pier 13 in Hoboken (once the season opens) almost every day from May to September, weather permitting.
The Amanda Bananas food truck’s official season is April to September.
Anyone can follow the business on Instagram @AmandaBananasNJ.
The truck posts its schedule on Pier 13 daily.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
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Maine
Flu, norovirus and other illnesses circulating in Maine
While influenza remains the top concern for Maine public health experts, other viruses are also currently circulating, including norovirus and COVID-19.
“Influenza is clearly the main event,” said Dr. Cheryl Liechty, a MaineHealth infectious disease specialist. “The curve in terms of the rise of influenza cases was really steep.”
Maine reported 1,343 flu cases for the week ending Jan. 3, an uptick from the 1,283 cases recorded the previous week, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalizations increased to 147 from 108 during the same time periods.
“I hope the peak is now,” Liechty said, “but I’m not really sure.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that all of New England, except for Vermont, is currently experiencing “very high” levels of influenza. Vermont is in the “moderate” category.
“What we are seeing, overwhelmingly, is the flu,” said Andrew Donovan, associate vice president of infection prevention for Northern Light Health. “We are seeing both respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in our patients.”
Norovirus also appears to be circulating, although due to its short duration and because it’s less severe than the flu, public health data on the illness — which causes gastrointestinal symptoms that typically resolve within a few days — is not as robust.
“Norovirus is the gastrointestinal scourge of New England winters and cruise ships,” Liechty said.
According to surveillance data at wastewater treatment plants in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston, norovirus levels detected in those communities are currently “high.” The treatment plants participate in WastewaterSCAN, which reports virus levels in wastewater through a program run by Stanford University and Emory University.
Dr. Genevieve Whiting, a Westbrook pediatrician and secretary of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said viruses are prevalent right now, especially the flu and norovirus.
“For my patients right now, it’s a rare encounter that I hear everyone in a family has been healthy,” Whiting said. “I’ve had families come in and say their entire family has had norovirus. Several of my patients have had ER visits for suspected norovirus, where they needed IV fluids because they were dehydrated.”
Both Liechty and Whiting said they are seeing less respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, likely because there has been good uptake of the new RSV vaccine, which is recommended for older people and those who are pregnant. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023.
“The RSV vaccine has been a real success, as RSV was a leading cause of hospitalizations for babies,” Whiting said.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases increased to 610 in the final week of 2025, compared to 279 the previous week. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at primary care, pharmacies and clinics across the state.
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet,” Liechty said, “you should beat a hasty path to get your shot.”
Massachusetts
Police to address Princeton death during child sexual abuse material investigation
Authorities will speak Friday after a death occurred while police were serving a search warrant for child sexual abuse material in Princeton, Massachusetts.
The subject of the search warrant “was a person of trust in communities in Worcester and Middlesex Counties,” Massachusetts State Police said.
Authorities said little about the case ahead of the press conference, which will begin at 6 p.m. and be streamed in the player above.
State police will be hosting the conference, which will include Princeton Police Chief Paul Patricia, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
Check back for more as this story develops.
New Hampshire
Man killed in NH snowmobile crash
An Alton man is dead after a snowmobile crash in New Hampshire’s North Country Thursday afternoon.
The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game says 63-year-old Bradford Jones was attempting to negotiate a left hand turn on Corridor Trail 5 in Colebrook when he lost control of his snowmobile, struck multiple trees off the side of the trail and was thrown from the vehicle shortly before 3:30 p.m.
Jones was riding with another snowmobiler, who was in the lead at the time of the crash, according to the agency. Once the other man realized Jones was no longer behind him, he turned around and traveled back where he found Jones significantly injured, lying off the trail beside his damaged snowmobile.
The man immediately rendered aid to Jones and called 911 for assistance, NH Fish and Game said. The Colebrook Fire Department used their rescue tracked all terrain vehicle and a specialized off road machine to transport first responders across about a mile of trail to the crash scene.
Once there, a conservation officer and 45th Parallel EMS staff attempted lifesaving measures for approximately an hour, but Jones ultimately died from his injuries at the scene of the crash, officials said.
The crash remains under investigation, but conservation officers are considering speed for the existing trail conditions to have been a primary factor in this deadly incident.
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