Nestled against the Rocky Mountains, Boulder, Colorado, has blossomed into a thriving hub for the natural products and wellness industry. The tea company was later acquired by Hain Food Group — now Hain Celestial Group — in 2000 for $390 million. Hain Celestial Group CEO Wendy Davidson (left) and CNBC's Andrea Day (right) trekking along the historic footrails where the founders of Celestial Seasonings gathered wild herbs in 1969. Turning peanut butter into goldThe Boulder County Farmers Market, a vibrant incubator since 1987, exemplifies the region's thriving ecosystem. A sign from the Boulder Farmers Market, operating from April to November, serving as an incubator for numerous small food businesses.

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Persons: Wendy Davidson, CNBC's Andrea Day, Davidson, It's, Justin Gold, butters, —, Gold, Daniel Acker, Juan Stewart, Stewart, Kristine Carey, Kristy Lewis, Quinn Snacks Organizations: U.S . News, Rockies, Hain Food, Group, CNBC, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, Farmers, Boulder Farmers, Foods, Hormel Foods, Bloomberg, Getty, Boulder County Farmers, Kroger, Companies Locations: U.S, CNBC's, Rocky, Boulder , Colorado, Boulder, University of Colorado Boulder, Tiskilwa , Illinois, Boulder County