Kyle Krause, regional product manager, functional fibers and carbohydrates, BENEO, chats with us about better-for-you candy ingredients and how food can influence mood and mental health.

We sat down with Monica Awadalla, founder and CEO of Monark Brands, to talk about vegan gummy trends. The brand will be launching a market-first vegan product at this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo, Awadalla says, and also has other plant-based candies.

Candy Industry Multimedia Specialist Brett Parker sat down with Todd Elliot, founder of Sweet Ventures Group, as they talk about Gummy Popz, the world’s first gummy candy that pops. The product is designed to combine a chewy gummy texture with popping candy to create a layered, multi-textured sensory experience.

We recently touched base with Eli Weiner, senior brand manager, Incredibles and Beboe, to discuss trends in the cannabis candy category. The company sells chocolate, gummies, and other confections imbued with THC, CBD, and other enhancements.

We recently sat down with Ryan Wright, COO, owner, and founder of Smokiez Edibles, to discuss trends in the cannabis candy category. The company sells cannabis fruit chews, among other products, and is currently working on phasing out artificial dyes to meet consumer demand. 

We recently sat down with Rick LaBerge, chief commercial officer, Haribo, to chat trends in the gummies category. Gummy growth is driven by texture and flavor innovation, LaBerge says, and the category has seen rapid growth over the past five years.

Long a staple of Chicago holiday celebrations, Fannie May is amping up the merriment with its Jolly Trolley, a decked-out vessel taking passengers on a sweet whirlwind tour around the city’s downtown. Marketing director for the Ferrero-owned brand talks about the delicious surprises riders can expect on the trolley, the company’s 105-history, and its seasonal and year-round confection innovation.