Faced with the challenge of providing nutritious food for her kids, mom Ashi Jelinek created KidsLuv, a nutritious, hydration beverage without any unhealthy ingredients, complete with sustainable packaging.

As access to natural and organic products has expanded, specialty retailers are working to regain that market share. Experts note that natural and organic retailers that are quick to stock in-demand products and offer versatile options for purchasing will see success.

Amidst challenges related to labor and safety, robotics continue to provide workarounds that allow beverage distributors to streamline operations.

A boost in eCommerce in combination with increased need for social distancing in operations has prompted a greater need for automated technologies, including voice picking. New technologies enable more safety, greater efficiency and an outlook for advancement.

As consumers place greater emphasis on health and wellness, performance beverages are adding more to their arsenal. From lower sugar, to better flavor and increased functionality, consumers demand that performance beverages outperform their former selves.

In celebration of Equality Day (Aug. 26) and women’s right to vote, Johnnie Walker’s Jane Walker brand partnered with activist celebrities to host inspiring TV conversations and released custom T-shirts to encourage women to vote.

As off-premise alcohol sees strong performance, and coffee and alcohol remain leaders in beverage, the success of hard coffee comes as little surprise. Growth in the category has boomed, and performance indicates a steady outlook.

Low- and no-sugar beverages continue to resonate with health-minded consumers, prompting beverage-makers to seek new age sweeteners for today’s beverages.

In the midst of the pandemic, consumer-purchasing patterns have shifted, impacting convenience stores sales and product offerings. Despite these changes, the channel is harnessing opportunities for future success.

Buddha’s Cup’s 100-acre plantation in Holualoa has adopted both low-tech and high-tech growing and harvesting methods that optimize the success of the Kona coffee crops, while also having minimal impact on the local ecosystem.