In a summer marked by flavor innovation and bold marketing, August 2005 delivered one of the most eclectic and buzzworthy waves of food product launches the U.S. had seen in years. From performance-enhancing candy to reinvented classics, brands across the board were out to win the war for shelf space—and consumer loyalty.

Jelly Beans Go to the Gym

Forget candy for kids—Jelly Belly turned their sugary treats into fitness fuel with the release of Sport Beans. Designed for athletes, these slightly oversized jelly beans boasted 25g of carbs, electrolytes, and vitamins C and E in every 1-ounce pack. It was a bold step into the $3.2 billion sports nutrition market—and according to VP Pete Healy, marathoners had already been sneaking Jelly Belly into their routines. Now, they had a reason to do it guilt-free.

Coca-Cola’s Powerade Option: Hydration, But Make It Skinny

The Coca-Cola Company responded to calorie-conscious consumers with Powerade Option, a low-calorie sports drink offering hydration with just 10 calories and 2 carbs per 8 oz. Sweetened with sucralose, the drink retained essential electrolytes and B-vitamins, and launched in standout flavors like Black Cherry and Strawberry.

Stouffer’s Corner Bistro: Restaurant Dining, Now From Your Freezer

As curbside pick-up became America’s fastest-growing dining trend, Nestlé launched Stouffer’s Corner Bistro Meals, frozen dinners designed to replicate restaurant quality. With flavors like Seafood Scampi and Garlic Chicken Pasta, the line aimed to keep families eating in without sacrificing flavor. “We asked our consumers what would make them rush home,” said marketing director Christine Dahm—and then their chefs delivered.

Hunt’s Ketchup Gets Thicker—And Bolder

If you thought ketchup was just ketchup, Hunt’s was out to change your mind. Their new ultra-thick formula was so dense it didn’t drip through a strainer—on purpose. Combined with an Always Clean Cap and ergonomic Easy Grip bottle, the rebrand was all about mess-free, bold flavor. “We want people to try Hunt’s again for the first time,” said VP Valerie Sheppard, hinting at the brand’s confidence with a full taste guarantee promotion.

Dove Steps Into Ice Cream, Cookies—and Emotional Snacking

Already known for its decadent chocolates, Dove (chocolate), a Mars Inc. brand, launched into three new categories: ice cream, cookies, and caramel-filled miniatures. Wrapped in glossy ganache and loaded with gourmet flavor profiles like Cappuccino Chocolate Thrill, the rollout included signature Dove moments like inspirational messages inside wrappers. It was indulgence with a soul—and consumers ate it up.

Lucky Charms Gets Chocolatey for the First Time Ever

For the first time in 40 years, Lucky the Leprechaun expanded his cereal empire with Chocolate Lucky Charms. Keeping the eight iconic magical marshmallows but adding whole grain chocolate cereal, the launch from General Mills offered a nostalgic twist with a modern flavor. Marketing manager Jon Horn called it “a new breakfast experience” that didn’t compromise on fun or nutrition.

From Jelly Beans That Fuel Marathons to Chocolate Dreams at Breakfast…

August 2005’s food innovations reflect how brands were pushing boundaries, blending health, indulgence, and convenience in entirely new ways. Whether it was portion-controlled jelly beans, upside-down ketchup, or restaurant-inspired freezer meals, the industry wasn’t just feeding appetites—it was redefining them.

Danone is pouring more than just creamer into your cup — it’s pouring $65 million into America’s booming love for cold brew coffee.

The multinational food and beverage giant, best known for products like International Delight and STōK Cold Brew, just unveiled a major expansion of its 77-year-old Jacksonville, Florida manufacturing facility. The upgraded plant will significantly boost coffee and creamer output, signaling Danone’s bold bet on the future of caffeinated beverages.

Alongside this upgrade, Danone is also investing in a brand-new regional distribution center in the Jacksonville area — a move that will create nearly 200 direct and indirect jobs and enhance its ability to supply fresh products across the Southeastern U.S.

We are focused on serving our consumers as our business continues to grow and innovate,” said Dan Magliocco, President of Danone North America. “We are committed to accelerating these investments to play our part in driving economic growth.

Why Coffee? Why Now?

The timing is no coincidence.

While many sectors are scaling back due to declining product volumes, Danone is banking on coffee — specifically cold brew — as a growth engine. According to SkyQuest, the cold brew market is expected to explode from under $500 million in 2022 to $3.11 billion by 2030. Danone has already been capitalizing on this surge by expanding STōK into seasonal flavors and even cold-brew-based energy drinks, aiming to create multiple “usage occasions” for the brand.

This strategy reflects a clear understanding of modern consumer behavior, especially among millennials and Gen Z, who prefer bold, flavorful, and cold beverages that can double as both a coffee fix and an energy boost.

The Tech Behind the Brew

The revamped production line in Jacksonville is more than just bigger — it’s smarter.

The facility now features state-of-the-art bottle-molding technology, which allows for a 30% reduction in bottle loss and requires less water to produce recyclable packaging. This not only boosts capacity and efficiency but also aligns with Danone’s sustainability goals — a growing priority for both companies and consumers.

By leveraging advanced tech, Danone is ensuring that the expansion doesn’t just meet demand but does so responsibly and sustainably.

Bigger Picture: F&B in Transition

Danone’s expansion comes at a time of major transformation in the food and beverage industry. While companies like JBS USA and Kraft Heinz are adding capacity, others like PepsiCo and J.M. Smucker are trimming operations to manage falling demand.

This divide signals an industry in flux — and Danone clearly believes coffee is on the winning side.

With its new investments, the company is not only betting big on STōK and International Delight but also positioning itself as a dominant player in the ready-to-drink coffee category, a space that continues to heat up.

Kristen Bell, beloved for her roles in Frozen, The Good Place, and as an outspoken advocate for family health and wellness, has announced a major transformation for her social-impact snack bar company. Formerly known as This Bar Saves Lives, the brand is now launching under the punchier, purpose-driven name: All In.

This overhaul comes alongside a $4 million fundraising round, led by Obvious Ventures — the socially conscious firm known for backing bold, mission-led companies.

We’re All In on ingredients that matter, business that gives back, and community-first action that starts close to home,” said James McGinnis, CEO of All In, in a company statement.

McGinnis brings heavyweight industry experience from brands like Clif Bar, and he’s steering this reboot toward a broader audience, with a sleek new look and five crave-worthy flavors, including Madagascar Vanilla. The rebrand retains the spirit of the original mission — to make snacking healthier, ethical, and accessible — but now with a fresh marketing angle designed to resonate with younger, socially conscious consumers.

What’s Different This Time?

All In promises more than just a name change.

• The bars will be gluten-free, palm oil-free, and include a kids-focused line free from the top eight allergens, making it one of the most inclusive snack lines on the U.S. shelf.
• The brand’s visual identity has been revamped to reflect a modern, community-driven vibe.
• The shift focuses not just on feeding the consumer but feeding back into the community — with charitable initiatives still baked into every purchase.

In a time when snacking trends are driven by Gen Z, millennials, and health-first households, All In’s timing couldn’t be better. According to Innova Market Insights, nearly 50% of U.S. consumers bought cereal or energy bars in the past year — a figure well above the global average of 37%.

A Bite of Hollywood, A Whole Lot of Heart

While Kristen Bell isn’t just lending her name to the project — she’s deeply involved in the brand’s mission and advocacy — the company also hopes her influence helps expand its audience. Her role as a co-founder, combined with her authenticity and family-first image, aligns perfectly with All In’s values.

Bell previously described the original brand as “the snack that saves lives,” with earlier versions helping provide therapeutic food aid to children in need. That spirit still lives on, but the brand is now ready to go bigger.