Nearly one-quarter of U.S. consumers say that they have already begun their holiday shopping, according to Nielsen’s 2013 Holiday Spending Forecast.

More than 22,000 people were in attendance at the 2013 NACS Show, which took place Oct. 12-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Total attendance reached 22,263, with 7,874 visitors classified as “buyers,” including retailers, wholesalers and distributors.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Charlotte, N.C., announced that it earned $16.2 million on net sales of $434.5 million for the third quarter of 2013, compared with a net income of $10.1 million on net sales of $419.9 million for the prior-year period.

El Segundo, Calif.-based Zico Beverages LLC’s same-named coconut water brand announced a sweepstakes through which fans can enter to win a trip for them and a friend to attend the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and meet 2006 Olympic champion Julia Mancuso.

Jamba Inc., Emeryville, Calif., reported its unaudited financial results for its fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 1.

Lake Success, N.Y.-based The Hain Celestial Group Inc.’s Celestial Seasonings brand is helping 25,000 fans spread holiday cheer with its holiday teas. Through the Celestial Seasonings Facebook page, fans can surprise a friend or loved one anywhere in the country with a special delivery of Celestial Seasonings holiday teas as part of the brand’s “From Me To You” promotion.

The majority of consumers believe that product companies and their brands play a crucial role in recycling, according to a new poll conducted by New York-based Research Data + Insights (RDI) on behalf of the Carton Council of North America (CCNA), Vernon Hills, Ill. The consulting firm surveyed 1,000 adults from across the United States, and 86 percent of them responded that they expect food and beverage brands to actively help increase the recycling of their packages.

Austin, Texas-based Big Red Inc.’s Big Red soda brand plans to educate consumers about the “issue” of backwashing with National Backwash Prevention Day on Nov. 1. According to the brand, an estimated 99.99 percent of Americans have unknowingly fallen victim to their favorite beverages being contaminated by backwash.

Smashburger, Denver, announced that it will carry Bethesda, Md.-based Honest Tea’s fresh-brewed organic iced teas at all of its restaurants nationwide. Each Smashburger location will brew a selection of iced teas from the independent operating unit of The Coca-Cola Co.

Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, launched a new way for customers to give its coffee as a gift using the “Tweet-a-Coffee” Twitter program.