State of play: These food and beverage brands satiate key trends

Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios

With food and beverage retailers showing solid growth through March and U.S. food giants largely beating earnings expectations, there may be no better time to invest in startups.

Why it matters: Consumer staple companies are considered by investors to be defensive plays during uncertain times.

What's happening: Axios rounded up a mix of growing food and beverage brands that spoke with us about their latest initiatives.

Fresh Victor: The San Francisco-based maker of cold-pressed juice cocktail mixers is providing an alternative to shelf-stable products largely made with corn syrup and preservatives.

Fly by Jing: The Los Angeles-based maker of condiments inspired by Sichuan cuisine is capitalizing on the growing demand for sauces.

Dewey's: The full-service bakery, founded in North Carolina in 1930, plans to expand its business for another two to three years before weighing an exit, CEO Michael Senackerib tells Axios.

Sweet Nothings: The San Francisco-based maker of plant-based smoothies was born when co-founder Beth Porter wanted to provide her kids with healthy yet delicious snacks.

BelliWelli: The Los Angeles-based maker of gluten-free, probiotic, low-FODMAP and vegan snack bars stems from founder Katie Wilson's idea to provide gut-friendly foods to consumers with digestive disorders.