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Temperatures are sweltering across the United States. To beat the heat, the only logical thing for me to do is to enjoy the air conditioning of my home with a big bowl of ice cream! Of course, I wouldn’t want to waste my summer being cooped up and unproductive, so I’ve uncovered some amazing and informative documentaries to help pass the time. Here are my recommendations to learn more about the food and beverage consumer packaged goods industry on the small screen. Thanks, CNBC!

CNBC Titans: Milton Hershey
TV doesn't get much sweeter than discovering the history behind The Hershey Company. Chocolate mogul Milton Hershey put Hershey, Pennsylvania, on the map. Today the town boasts The Milton Hersey School, Hersheypark and Chocolate World, and the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.


Supermarkets Inc: Inside a $500 Billion Money Machine
Ever walk around a grocery store and wonder why items are placed where? Find out what goes on behind the scenes of your local market, as well as how these supermarkets remain competitive in this tough industry. The show also includes insights from Martin Lindstrom, author of Buyology – Truth and Lies About Why We Buy, and features stores such as Pittsburgh's Market District. Watch the whole broadcast on Hulu.


Coca-Cola: The Real Story Behind the Real Thing
For the past 125 years, Coca-Cola has built its strong reputation. Today, Coke is the best-known brand around the globe and the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. This original one-hour documentary reveals never-before-seen labs, secret archives, and high-tech product testing involved in creating and maintaining this American icon. Find the entire presentation online at Hulu.com.


If you've seen a show about the food and beverage CPG industry that I need to add to my "must watch" list, leave a message and let me know!

Whom Do You Love?

Are you feeling the love? A recently released list named this year's most liked brands in the country, and food and beverage CPG manufacturers have landed top spots. It's no wonder many of the consumer-friendly products ranked highly; each company has spent years honing its brand, image, and marketing.

The list based its standings on the American Customer Satisfaction Index, with each company earning its position based on thousands of consumer satisfaction surveys administered by ACSI.

Business Insider announced the results last week, and food and beverage companies rated as follows: ketchup maker H.J. Heinz earned the highest spot on the list, landing at number three. The 142-year-old business received a score of 88 out of 100 on the satisfaction index.

Quaker came in next, with a rating of 86. A push toward more whole grains and less sugar surely helped the PepsiCo-owned brand secure the eighth opening on the list.

While also achieving a satisfaction score of 86, Hershey came in at number 12, according to Business Insider. The Hershey Company is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America, and distributes candies including Reese's, Jolly Rancher, and Twizzlers.

Next up, Sara Lee, number 13 on the list with a satisfaction rating of 85. Makers of fresh and frozen baked goods since 1939, the corporation continues to live up to its slogan, "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee!"

With a score of 85, Dr. Pepper Snapple locked in the number 17 spot on the list. In addition to the obvious Dr. Pepper and Snapple, the company also owns well-known beverage brands such as A&W Root Beer, Hawaiian Punch, Sunkist, and 7UP. Last year, company revenues topped $1.33 billion.

The final company on the list, Mars, Incorporated, rounded out the food and beverage CPG manufacturers on the list at number 19, and a score of 85. Over the years, the candy maker has created sweet favorites like Snickers, Twix, and Skittles. In 2010, Mars reported revenues of $30 billion, and in 2008, the company purchased gum producer Wrigley along with Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated.

Luckily, no food and beverage companies landed on this year's most hated list. BNET, the CBS Interactive Network, also published a similar list, with the same ACSI scores, but slightly different rankings.

What do you think of this list? Did the companies, brands, and products you love make the cut? Leave a comment and tell me more!

Out of the Blue

July is National Blueberry Month, and rightfully so! Those plump, vivid berries are ripe this time of year, with grocers keeping store shelves stocked with this summer fruit. Fresh or frozen, blueberries are tasty any time of year, atop pancakes or mixed in to oatmeal.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry, and the good folks at the organization are undoubtedly excited to celebrate this month.

Find a variety of blueberry-flavored items in stores, including products like True Blueberry Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea, Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolate Cranberries, Blueberries, and Almond Bar, and Wild Blueberry Quaker Multigrain Fiber Crisps.

Enjoy these additional blueberry recipes to spice up your month!

• Betty Crocker Blueberry-Banana Bread with Bisquick
  
• Blueberry Scones featuring King Arthur Flour
  
• Kraft Blueberry-Cheese Rolls starring Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  
• Land O'Lakes Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes
  
• Dannon Mixed Berry Smoothie
  
• Ocean Spray Blueberry Cosmo
  
• Blueberry White Chip Muffins loaded with Nestlé Toll House Premier White Morsels
  

What are your favorite blueberry recipes? Have a good one for Wild Blueberry Soup or Blueberry Streusel Cake? Post and share!

I Scream, You Scream

We're halfway through July, which means we still have two weeks to celebrate National Ice Cream Month! Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984, and for the past 27 years, we've had a full 31 days to formally recognize the frozen treat that keeps us cool all summer.

Since my ice cream post last year, food manufacturers have created new concoctions for consumers to enjoy. Whether you're in the mood for a decadently sweet dessert, a low-fat creamy delight, or something in between, ice cream companies have you covered! Take a look at these new ice cream lines that have hit store shelves so far this year.

In March, Ben and Jerry's launched Late Night Snack, a flavor inspired by a "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" skit. The vanilla ice cream combines a sweet and salty combination with a caramel swirl and crunchy fudge-covered potato chip clusters.

Ben and Jerry's welcomed two more flavors in May, available only at Target. Volun-Tiramisu and Peanut Butter World are intended to promote volunteerism, joining last year's philanthropic ice cream debut of Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder.

This company isn't the only one, however, adding a new twist to their tried and true lineup. Klondike is mixing it up with new taste sensations like Mint Chocolate Chip and Caramel Pretzel. Blue Bunny, Hershey's Ice Cream, and Breyers also keep us guessing with new items unveiled constantly.

For kids and kids at heart, Popsicle brand frozen treats introduced Jolly Rancher ice pops. With long-lasting flavors straight from the hard candy, each pop combines cherry, blue raspberry, green apple, and grape flavors.

Looking for a healthier way to celebrate National Ice Cream Month? Reach for one of new Weight Watchers' new ice cream treats. For those on the diet program, the frozen treats range from one to four points to keep your eating plan on track. Try a Strawberry Smoothie Bar, a GIANT Latte Bar, a Dark Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream Bar, or many of the other low-fat varieties the manufacturer offers.

Skinny Cow from Nestlé also provides a lower fat ice cream option. From sandwiches and truffle bars to individual cones and cups in mouth-watering flavors including Strawberry Cheesecake and Caramel Cone, Skinny Cow is another tasty alternative to help ice cream lovers snack smartly.

Of course, you can always visit your nearest Maggie Moo's or Baskin-Robbins or head to your grocer's freezer to enjoy your favorite ice cream flavor this month – and all year! – long.

So tell me, what's your favorite ice cream flavor? Drop me a note and tell me how you're planning to celebrate National Ice Cream Month!

Hall of Fame

Tucan Sam? Mr. Peanut? Who's your favorite advertising icon? From Charlie the Tuna to the Jolly Green Giant, beloved characters across the years have helped consumers connect with a brand. The personified creatures have earned their place in American pop culture, with many companies making over their "spokesperson" to keep up with the times.

Later this year, advertising enthusiasts will be able to visit the Advertising Icon Museum in Kansas City to honor advertising icons new and old. The institution will display the world's largest-known collection of three‐dimensional advertising icons. The 12,000-square foot museum will be home to more than 2,000 legendary advertising icons and will serve as the permanent home of the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame, the annual class of America's favorite icons as chosen by millions of online voters.

The Advertising Icon Museum will surely highlight the Top 10 Advertising Icons of the Century, as noted by Ad Age. The list includes well known figures including Betty Crocker, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Aunt Jemima, and Tony the Tiger.

Recently, CBS Sunday Morning profiled some classic advertising icons getting a fresh face with help from agency partners to reconnect with today's consumer. View the video below:


Which ad icons stand out to you? Share memories of your favorite advertising character!

Action!

One of the best parts of summer is spending time in the movie theater. Mega blockbusters send audiences flocking to theaters all season long. To keep these feature films top of mind, many studios team up with food and beverage consumer packaged goods companies for mutually beneficial sponsorships. Shoppers can bring their favorite on-screen characters into their homes through a variety of snacks.

Take for example, Disney's Cars 2, released in theaters nationwide on June 24. Characters from the animated Pixar flick can be found on a variety of products lining store shelves. This summer, packages of Nestlé's Juicy Juice brand are highlighting the movie's cartoon cars, and consumers can visit the company's website to vote for their favorite animated character and play games related to the picture.

Kellogg's is also getting in on the Cars 2 act. The company's specially marked participating products contain codes shoppers can collect and redeem online for prizes related to the movie. Items include Kellogg's cereals like Froot Loops, Corn Pops, and Apple Jacks; Eggo Waffles, Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars, and a variety of Keebler crackers and cookies.

But that's not all! Kraft Macaroni & Cheese boxes are currently featuring a Cars 2 promotion, and its Jet-Puffed Marshmallows are available this summer in car shapes for the film's launch.

Not to be outdone, Pirate's Booty, a healthy, baked rice and corn puff snack, is offering limited edition 7 ounce bag promoting Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The Disney movie hit cinemas May 20.

Finally, Harry Potter fans are anxiously awaiting the last installment of the wizard's adventures. The film enters theaters in just a few weeks. No doubt we'll see more Harry Potter food items in stores before the movie comes out July 15. Remember Jelly Belly's BeanBoozled jelly beans? The candies mixed flavors such as rotten egg and moldy cheese in with regular flavors like coconut and peach.

What movie tie-ins do you remember most? Drop me a line and tell me more!

Lazy Days of Summer

Summer has officially arrived, and with it comes new drinks, snacks, and foods to keep you cool all season long! Here are just some of the new products you'll find on store shelves in the coming months.

Ever have difficulty stacking your chocolate and marshmallow on a graham cracker to create the perfect s'more? Not anymore! Kraft has the perfect solution with Jet-Puffed StackerMallows. These flat marshmallows make it easier than ever to construct a delicious s'more to prepare in the microwave or over a campfire in just seconds. More time to enjoy summer!

Summer is also the right time to enjoy long days by the pool with ice cream in hand. To cool down, try Unilever's Magnum Bars. The popular treat debuted in the U.S. earlier this year, but has been a staple in the U.K. since 1987. Wrapped in a thick chocolate shell, the premium ice cream on a stick is the world's top individual frozen dairy snack. In flavors like Double Caramel, Double Chocolate, Classic, Almond, White, and Dark, you can try a different variety practically every day of the week!

Stay hydrated in the hot weather by adding zing to your ordinary H2O. MiO Liquid Water Enhancer from Kraft is one way to do just that. The sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free flavor booster is available in Berry Pomegranate, Fruit Punch, Mango Peach, Peach Tea, Sweet Tea, and Strawberry Watermelon. Add as much or as little MiO as you want to create a personal beverage with as much or as little taste as you wish.

Nothing epitomizes childhood more than Oreo cookies, and this summer, Nabisco is introducing its Triple Double Oreo. The triple-decker chocolate cookie contains three wafers with two layers of filling, one each of chocolate and vanilla.

What fun indulgences are you looking forward to this summer? Leave me a note and tell me what you think of these fun, new summer items!