There is a distinct trend in healthy milk-based beverages that has grown greatly over the last few years, says Jim Dimataris, director of process relations for the California Milk Advisory Board, located in South San Francisco, Calif.

Nestle bottles Nesquik and liquid coffee creamers in a state-of-the-art aseptic plant in Anderson , Ind. The facility is LEED-certified for its green features.

Thanks to robust sales of Nesquik flavored milks, innovations in the Juicy Juice brand and a new partnership with Jamba Juice, Nestlé USA is far from a milquetoast in grocery and convenience store channels.

It’s no surprise that ice cream doesn’t make the grocery shopping list in the wintertime. Aside from curbing the various strains of illness (ice cream soothes strep throat), consumers are warming their kitchens with other not-as-cold items.

For 2009 and 2010, a grim economy has presented some bleak numbers in terms of new product launches, according to a survey conducted by Chicago-based Mintel. While consumers were pinching pennies, cheesemakers were clamping down on innovations for fear of spreading too thin.

This time of year, it’s good to reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re going and what we wish for in the future.