Editor’s note: Prepared Foods talks with Jeff Wirtz, corporate executive chef at Blount Fine Foods, a Fall River, Mass., processor of fresh and frozen soups, sides, sauces and entrees.

Retail dollar sales in the $16 billion natural and specialty cheese market are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% during 2014-2018.

Six in 10 American adults say they restrict at least one nutritional component from their diet.

A study says 85% of low-income families think that eating healthy meals is important to them.

I look to the garden this May and see short bushy rows of green. Chard, lettuce, radish, spinach, mustard greens, kale. In another month, I will have the makings of many meals that feature vegetables.

Dannon will further improve by 10% the nutrient density of its products in part by increasing nutrients that are encouraged in a healthy diet, while reducing total sugar and fat, and will invest in nutrition education and research focused on healthy eating habits.

A whopping seven of the top 10, and 73 of the top 100 food and beverage products launched in 2013 offer a healthier-for-you benefit.

Restaurants offering soup and salad now face considerable competition from the retail segment.

Survey results show that 77% of U.S. consumers tout their generally healthy eating habits, while 55% experience small setbacks, such as snacking on junk food or treating themselves to an indulgent meal.

SnackWell's was originally launched by Nabisco Inc. in 1992.