Meagan McGinnes

Out of the 600 bright millennial minds honored across all 20 segments of the 30 Under 30 List, 23 innovators were highlighted for their work in the food and beverage industry — either for a brand, in retail or within a related industry.

Companies are increasingly seeking placement on conventional grocery store shelves to connect with a wider group of consumers. From chickpea pasta to dehydrated cheese snacks, here is the latest in natural’s distribution news.

Good Spread is growing its “authenticity tracking system,” transitioning all of its lines to organic, and expanding its food service division. But even as the company continues to scale, innovate and increase its operational capabilities, its mission — and love of peanut butter — has stayed the same.

Two years after the co-op behind Welch’s food created fruit-bite brand Nothing But the Fruit (NBTF), the snack label is releasing its second juicy innovation: vegan fruit jerky. The portfolio expansion is part of the co-op’s strategy to show consumers the viability of its harvests goes beyond grapes.

Under the new Nutrition Facts regulations, the types of ingredients that would count towards dietary fiber levels was severely reduced. Earlier this year the FDA announced it would review 26 additional isolated and synthetic ingredients to be recognized as acceptable, however, after almost a year with no guidance or updates on the review, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is asking for answers.

Dean Foods, Hain Celestial and Snyder’s-Lance all held their quarterly earnings calls this week. While each saw varying levels of success this quarter, all three spoke about how they are looking to build up their core brands in order to achieve efficiencies and boost future earnings.

Lehi Valley Trading Company, producer of High Valley Orchard, Arizona Snack Company and numerous private label products, launched SnackWorthy, a clean-label snack brand, last year. Encouraged by positive response from consumers, the brand announced during this year’s National Association of Convenience Stores show in Chicago, Ill., that it’s converting one of its most popular — and money-making — SKUs to the new line.

A week after finalizing the purchase of meat alternative company Sweet Earth, Nestlé USA today announced it’s widening its coffee portfolio with the acquisition of Chameleon Cold-Brew for an undisclosed sum.

The brand’s revamped packaging, designed by Nucleus Maximus, features a colorful design with a hand-drawn bear. To start, the bear will only be featured on GFB’s bar line, rolling out to 9,000 stores this month.