San Francisco-based hint Inc. announced its new hint water for kids. Available in four fruit flavors — Watermelon, Cherry, Blackberry and Apple — the new line is packaged in 200-ml Tetra cartons. Hint waters are non-GMO certified and WHOLE30 approved. They are vegan, and contain no MSG, nuts, soy or gluten. Like all hint waters, the kids’ version is free from juice, sugar, diet sweeteners, colors, calories and preservatives, the company says.

The start of the 2015-2016 school year is just around the corner, and students between the ages of five and 18 will continue to find healthier beverages and snacks in vending machines, a la carte lines and school stores due to the Smart Snacks in School regulation enacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July 2014.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated its new Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, which affect the sale of foods and beverages that are not part of federally supported meals programs.

Port Washington, N.Y.-based Apple & Eve LLC acquired The Switch Beverage Co., a Darien, Conn.-based marketer of 100 percent sparkling juices. The acquisition supports Apple & Eve’s plans for growth and expansion in the school nutrition channel, the company says. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Following up on last year’s new standards for school meals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled its new “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards that will affect food and beverages sold in vending machines and a la carte.

In the eight years that Susan Neely has worked for the American Beverage Association (ABA), the president and chief executive officer of the Washington, D.C.-based association has seen manufacturers truly embrace the concept of innovation.