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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.

From “Sell By” to “Best Before” to “Best If Used By,” the many ways in which CPG products are date coded are creating consumer confusion over how long food is actually safe to eat.

Digital convenience retailer GoPuff is fusing convenience store merchandise and rapid, mobile device-driven fulfillment, aiming to reach customers in under 30 minutes and provide a little fun along the way.

The founders of popular frozen poultry brand Hip Chick Farms, who sold the company last year, have left the frozen section and entered the booming CBD snack market, recently launching their new brand, A Boring Life, into retail.

Heading into summer, supermarkets nationwide have added new ice cream options to their shelves, including a new dairy-free line from Jeni’s and fresh flavors from Gelato Fiasco.

Meal kit company Purple Carrot announced today that it will be acquired by Oisix, Japan’s largest meal kit and organic food delivery service. The deal includes an upfront payment of $12.8 million. Purple Carrot CEO Andy Levitt told NOSH that he has been working towards an exit since 2016 and is proud of the impact the company has had on helping consumers eat more plant-based meals.

Meat snack brand Chef’s Cut announced yesterday the launch of a new line of beef biltong — a thinly sliced, cured beef snack from South Africa — which new CEO Bart Adlam hopes will give the brand a versatile and on-trend option for young consumers. The new line will also sport refresh packaging for the brand and comes as the company has added a spate of new executives.

KIND Snacks is freezing out its nutrition bar competitors with its latest innovation. Last week, the brand announced the launch of KIND Frozen Creamy Almond Bars, the brand’s first entry into the frozen category, available exclusively at Wal-Mart.

B&G acquires Clabber Girl, Nuun’s #WeStandByHer initiative, Angie’s Boomchickapop co-founders invest in KYLA Kombucha and more in this week’s Checkout.