"It’s no secret that the gum category overall has had its challenges but there are diamonds in the rough in every sector," says Tyler Merrick, founder and ceo, Project 7.

A donation to satisfy any sweet tooth — that’s what Verve, Inc., an environmentally-minded, socially responsible candy company in Rhode Island, is doing by gifting 54,000 bubblegum-filled lollipops to charity.

To some candy lovers, a sugar-free label can cause a grimace.

There’s all-natural gum, and there are all-natural lollipops, but now, for the first time, consumers can enjoy these two treats in one.

Even though gum and mint sales have declined in recent months, creative pushes are coming from both market to keep customers cool, calm and collectively chewing.