Sunshine Buns’ future looks bright as the frozen pastry brand is in the process of closing a $7 million investment round this month to further scale its cinnamon rolls in retail.

The year-old brand is looking to build fast and that fresh capital is expected to help it push ahead.

• Sunshine Buns recently launched its fourth variety and is preparing to debut a seasonal LTO next month. 

• Savory and minibuns are in the pipeline for next year.

After presenting at the SFA's Winter FancyFaire and Natural Products Expo West, retail deals began flowing in as well. 

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In this week’s new products roundup, Kraft Natural Cheese makes parmesan pocket-sized, Barebells pumps up the protein in its bars, and Heinz expands into ready-to-eat soups.

🆓 Check out the full gallery.

🧂 Daily Crunch is taking direct aim at potato chips via its latest line launch, featuring flavors modeled after classic potato chip seasonings. Read more.

🍝 A wave of emerging brands including Riff, Nomie and Pastacraft is looking to disrupt the shelf-stable meal category with clean ingredients, bold flavors and convenient meal solutions. Learn more.

🍬 Barebells is extending its focus on indulgent flavors and lower-sugar products into the confectionery aisle, tapping into the Swedish candy craze with a new line of Soft Candy. Check it out.

Protein soda and hard sports drinks are making moves—but is either category built to last? 

With protein soda betting on big demand for functional fizz and hard sports drinks racking up eye-popping sales, we debate which category has the bigger upside.

 We also revisit interviews from Taste Radio’s San Diego meetup, featuring The Angel Group’s Maddie Serviente and Pitaya Foods founder Chuck Casano.

Listen now.

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