From fast-casual vegan bowls to fertilizer and alcoholic ginger beer, these businesses have demonstrated that a dedicated team and an innovative idea are the building blocks for a successful business. And, with the cash prizes provided by MassChallenge, they’re poised to continue growing.

You don’t have to go far these days to find an industry in the midst of rapid innovation. For example, just take a look at the grocery industry. As with all brick-and-mortar retailers, the advent of the internet has radically changed the way people shop. Fading are the days of weekly grocery trips. Instead, grocery delivery services like Amazon Fresh and Instacart, along with meal delivery services like Blue Apron and Purple Carrot -- not to mention farm delivery services like Boston Organics -- prove that alternatives to the standard way of shopping are both viable and, for many, preferable.

Did you know that the American folk hero Johnny Appleseed planted scores and scores of inedible apples? In the bestselling book, The Botany of Desire, author Michael Pollan mentions that Appleseed and the frontier settlers who bought his apple orchards were not at all interested in eating the apples. They had something different in mind -- cider.

So you’ve decided to get your food business off the ground. By now, you’ve got a business plan, boundless ambition, and you’ve probably been eyeing the perfect space for a while now. But, with a plan in place, there is still the question of money. How will you fund your business?

Transforming the world’s food systems isn’t just about transforming the way we produce, send, and consume. It’s also about transforming how we deal with the part of the plate that's thrown away. As it stands, roughly one-third of the world’s food gets tossed in the garbage each year, according to a 2011 study by the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organization.

Food entrepreneurship is a fast-paced and dynamic field. With the approach of Autumn colors comes crisper weather and shorter days, but it also marks the beginning of a new season of innovation for food entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and investors. The right conferences and workshops can be an invaluable means of joining the conversation. For those serious about changing the food system, take a look at these upcoming events in the world of food and beverage innovation you don’t want to miss.

China has been following Western countries’ lead in terms of technology and development for years, but they're catching up and undergoing rapid development in nearly every sector, including food. Though China's food industry developed over thousands of years, it is rapidly advancing in line with Western competition and influence.

There is a lingering mentality that corporate success and social justice are at odds. Though, with a steadfast mission and a vision for a better future, the entrepreneurial aspirations of a lemonade stand or any other food and beverage startup can be a powerful agent for change.

New England is a powerhouse of invention and success, and our contributions to food are no exception. Out of the region's surprisingly deep portfolio of successful businesses, we have compiled twenty of the most notable food brands and the top five keys to their success.