Articles by Jessica Jacobsen

The convenience and ease of online shopping is one that I’m sure many U.S. consumers have been happy to take advantage of.

American consumers’ desires for organic products continue to gain steam. According to data from the Washington, D.C.-based Organic Trade Association (OTA), sales of organic products reached $35.1 billion in 2013, an increase of 11.5 percent compared with the previous year.

With all the buzz surrounding health and wellness, vitamin fortification remains a popular topic in the consumer market. The readers of Beverage Industry also seem interested in the topic, as 60 percent of voters named VitaminFizz the best new product that was posted on www.bevindustry.com during the month of August, making it the winner of the publication’s August Readers’ Choice New Product of the Month poll.

At any time of day, a quick scan of a train or bus would likely reveal at least one or two people on their mobile devices — particularly smartphones. Around the world, more consumers are turning to smartphones for their mobile needs.

A longtime favorite topping for ice cream desserts, cherry also has found its niche within the beverage industry.

As you take the time to read my column this month, I ask that you take a minute to think about what you have consumed within the last 24 hours.

With a distribution territory that spans parts of Washington state, Idaho, Oregon and all of Alaska, one might wonder how The Odom Corp., Bellevue, Wash., has excelled throughout the years while dealing with factors like challenging weather climates and a broad territorial footprint.

Despite the number of hurdles that it has faced within the past year, the convenience store channel still is holding steady, experts note.

Cold-brewed coffees are gaining attention in the marketplace, including among Beverage Industry readers. Showing their affinity for ready-to-drink, cold-brewed coffee, 22 percent of voters named High Brew Coffee as the best new product that was posted on www.bevindustry.com during the month of July, making the new lineup the winner of the magazine’s July Readers’ Choice Product of the Month poll.

When it comes to viral infections like the common cold or influenza, washing one’s hands is one of the most common forms of prevention recommended from institutions like Mayo Clinic or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.