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Alexander Komarov is the co-founder of Extraordinary Foods, the maker of Pimp My Salad speciality toppings. The brand’s mission is to make healthy eating exciting and accessible, and to “pimp every salad in America.” Its products include dairy-free cashew and hemp parmesan, coconut bacon and sprouted seeds.

If there’s one place that online shopping has lagged grocery in the instant gratification department, it’s at point-of-purchase. But in a presentation at Sweets and Snacks in Chicago, experts from Mars Wrigley and Meijer unwrapped strategies for manufacturers and retailers to make confectionery seem even sweeter as part of a digital shopping journey.

For a natural remedy meant to ease anxiety, the CBD market has become a place of confusion — not calm. On Friday, the FDA held its first hearing on cannabis products, including CBD food and drink products.

After what proved to be a pivotal year in 2018, better-for-you protein snack brand Buff Bake is looking forward with a tighter focus. This month, the company launched a new keto bar line and earned a space in 7-Eleven’s emerging brands store refresh, both moves it hopes will serve to build off the product rebrand, reformulation and leadership changes made over the last year.

Is Kellogg waffling on its formerly Eggo-centric waffle strategy? The food giant is, at least, diversifying its breakfast table approach with new Off the Grid protein-infused waffles, rolling into major retailers this month.

In the face of a changing consumer landscape, food and beverage brands marketing “indulgent” products must grapple with new challenges where consumers are planning their indulgence occasions, governments are increasing regulations, and innovation crossovers are blurring the lines between not just categories but whole industries.

Nielsen predicts summer food staples, Mark Bittman partners with Peapod and more in this week’s Checkout.

When it comes to snacks, consumers want meats, sweets and salt — preferably with a better-for-you label. In a presentation last week at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, SPINS and UNFI reviewed trends driving natural and specialty candy and snacks, segments that comprise a 19% share of dollar volume and 42.8% share of dollar gains in the overall snacking industry.

Boulder, Colo.-based premium instant tea maker Cusa Tea has completed a $2.5 million Series A funding round led by Break Trail Ventures and S Cap, the company announced yesterday.

Will Kornegay is the co-founder and CEO of Glean, a company focused on creating a farm-to-consumer impact and beyond. Glean offers single ingredient vegetable flours and powders that can be used in baking, soups, sauces, smoothies and more. Additionally, they produce protein gummies and a natural pet treat line.