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It’s hard to believe that 2016 is just around the corner. After things wind down from the holiday rush, I enjoy reflecting on everything that I experienced during the year. However, I must admit, I also have a tendency to start planning new adventures and challenges for the year ahead.

As of July, the Google Play store and the Apple App Store each offered more than 1.5 million apps for download, according to Statista. There’s pretty much an app to make just about anything easier and more convenient.

The holidays are here, and time with family and friends spent over food and drinks is a big part of many gatherings. Beverage brands also hop on the holiday bandwagon by displaying festive flavors in brightly colored packaging to entice consumers.

The readers of Beverage Industry know how important it is to stay hydrated. Perhaps that is why they voted Bai Antiwater as the best new beverage for October. 

Scrolling through my LinkedIn newsfeed, a post from Chicago-based Mintel caught my eye. “Thirty-four percent of U.S. adults are interested in seeing carbonated soft drinks with added benefits,” the post stated.

All beverage operations throughout the supply chain create residuals or situations that can be classified as waste. Whether a result of initial raw materials processing or marketplace distribution, beverage waste is generated, to some extent, at work areas located in the three supply chain segments: processing, production and distribution.

Not too long ago, a discussion about how much fiber and protein each of us on the editorial staff actually consumes led to what we now have dubbed The Fiber-Protein Challenge.

It’s no secret that bottled water is one of the hottest beverage trends in the market. Market research firms have touted its growing market share and campaigns like first lady Michelle Obama’s Drink Up initiative is encouraging consumers to turn to the zero-calorie option.

On a pit-stop at a gas station not too long ago, the Dunkin’ Donuts sign across the street glowed as it sang to me, “Pumpkin is back.” Nothing says fall to me like my large Dunkin’ coffee with pumpkin spice, cream and sugar (whether it needs the cream and sugar, I don’t know, but I’m afraid to try it without).