Soylent Nutrition Inc., Los Angeles, launched a ready-to-drink Strawberry four-pack exclusively at select Target stores nationwide.

In the midst of the current plant-based food and beverage revolution, consumers are on the hunt for plant-based proteins in a variety of foods.

As a staple in product development, vanilla has shown that no matter what the latest fad is, you can’t beat the classics.

Sports and protein drinks, particularly for non-athletes, will continue to drive the market, but beverage-makers should be aware of consumers’ wellness goals, including the need for organic products and high transparency.

The trend for professional athletes, weekend warriors and everyday consumers to be well-hydrated with more low-sugar, organic and natural options is contributing to stable growth in both the sports and protein drinks market.

Los Angeles-based Rosa Foods Inc., the makers of Soylent, announced the brand’s retail expansion in New York with a long-term strategic distribution agreement with Maspeth, N.Y.-based Big Geyser Inc. 

Soylent announced the latest flavors in its portfolio of ready-to-drink (RTD) meal-replacement products: Café Vanilla and Café Chai. 

At $11.2 billion and nearly $187 million, respectively, the sports drinks and ready-to-drink (RTD) protein drinks markets are expected to remain solid performers as a result of continued interest in health, convenience and function, according to market research analysts.

With the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the horizon, athletes like American gymnast Simone Biles and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt are on a quest for Olympic Gold on the world’s biggest stage.

With Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Facts estimating the dairy and dairy alternative beverage category will grow from a $23.8 billion industry in 2014 to a $31.5 billion industry by 2019 in its April report titled “Dairy and Dairy Alternative Beverage Trends in the U.S.,” more beverage-makers will be in search of contract manufacturers to support their beverage-making needs.