One of L.A.’s biggest kombucha manufacturers tries to demystify the effervescent drink

Health-Ade Kombucha employs more than 130 people and will sell about 2 million cases of the bubbly drink by year’s end. It’s on the shelves in thousands of grocer stores and is beginning to find traction in the restaurant and bar setting. But many shoppers are still puzzled by it—maybe by its peculiar name or by the scoby used to make it. In an effort to demystify it, Health-Ade opens its brewery for tours. Read more at LA Weekly…

Report: U.S. obesity rates level off, but the weight war is not won

For the second year in a row, the overall obesity rate in the U.S. has held relatively steady at 38 percent—but just 17 years ago that number was around 20 percent. Rates are even higher among rural areas and in low-income populations, according to the Trust for America's annual State of Obesity report. Meanwhile, childhood obesity rates are stabilizing and even improving in some areas. John Auerbach, the CEO of the Trust for America’s Health, says programs that address obesity, nutrition and increased physical activity are especially important in order for improvements to continue over the next few years. Read more at Philly.com…

Does Whole Foods need the middle aisle? What the shift toward fresh means for retail

Large food companies continue to experience sales losses as grocery and convenience stores stock more natural, fresh and prepared foods. They’re also facing competition in the form of private label brands, which have become staples for retailers like Sprouts, Kroger and Whole Foods. If the center-store is shrinking, what are packaged food manufacturers to do? Read more at Forbes…

Study: Babies born to mothers living in areas of very high pesticide exposure see problems

Using birth records and pesticide application rates for a one-square mile region in California’s San Joaquin Valley, researchers found that the 1 percent of babies presumably exposed to the most pesticides showed overall lower birth weights and adverse birth outcomes. Read more at Iowa Public Radio…

Hip Chick Farms ‘grows’ organic chicken nugget market

Founders Serafina Palandesh and chef Jen Johnson started the Bay Area-based organic frozen poultry brand to make clean, organic, humanely raised meat products available to busy families. Expect more than a dozen new products from them to hit supermarket shelves this year. Read more at Organic Report…