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In this week’s Checkout: HighKey partners with Ryan Reynolds’ marketing firm Maximum Effort; Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets announce a merger agreement; Mondelēz SnackFutures launches a new startup program; and Kellogg’s and Lotus Bakeries report earnings.

In our December edition of Category Close-Up: Product Showcase we spoke with executives from nutrition bar brands about their latest product launches and the category at large. In this special bonus segment, you’ll hear from several emerging bar brands about the market dynamics that are currently shaping the category and what their companies have been up to over the last several months.

Trying to continue safely supporting the natural products community, media and events company New Hope announced today that it would cancel the in-person aspect of its annual Natural Products Expo West conference, moving the event to a virtual format.

Botanical tonic brand Sunwink is expanding its plant-based platform outside of ready-to-drink beverages with the launch of Superfood Powder Mixes.

Yesterday Post Holdings company announced the formation of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) entitled Post Holdings Partnering Corporation (PHPC). The blank check company plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange with the intent of raising $400 million.

According to the National Confectioners Association, 86% of Americans said they plan to share a gift of chocolate and candy this Valentine’s Day. To offer consumers a variety of seasonal treats to choose from, brands rolled out several sweet (and a few salty) limited edition products to celebrate the holiday. Check out the gallery for notable Valentine’s Day offerings, including new Theo Chocolate and Honey Mama’s flavors and the return of Grillo’s Pickle Bouquet Kit.

High-protein snack maker Powerful Nutrition announced last week it has combined with consumer products investing platform MMG Consumer Brands to form Powerful Brands, a CPG holding company focused on launching and acquiring health and wellness companies.

Direct-to-consumer wellness brand beam has raised $5 million in a Series A financing round, the company announced today. This month, beam made its first expansion outside of the CBD space with the launch of Elevate, a line of powdered hydration drinks packaged in single-serve sticks.

It was one of the first companies to offer food and beverage brands an online wholesaling platform, but pioneering e-marketplace Hubba announced last week it would cease operations, cutting brands off from a popular way to introduce and supply their products to small, independent retailers.

In this week’s Checkout: Hakuna Brands rebrands to Must Love; Red Clay Hot Sauce raises $1.5 million; Hershey’s reports Q4 earnings; Dole launches a new “Malnutrition Label” marketing campaign; and Frito-Lay and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin project Super Bowl snacking stats.