Confectioners release study on candy’s economic impact
September 18, 2015 |06:11 AM
The National Confectioners Association this week unveiled a study designed to show the industry’s economic importance and commitments to social goals.
The “Power of Sweet” study says the $35 billion confectionary industry employs 55,000 people in the United States, and leads to employment for more than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries.
“For every job that is created in confectionery, another seven are supported in related industries, which means that candy drives a multiplier effect of 1:7 or an impact of 700 percent,” said NCA President and CEO John Downs.
The study takes the high road and does not mention the industry’s frequent attempts to make changes to the U.S. sugar program, but the news release noted that executives from top confectionary companies had shared the data with members of Congress this week while they were
“advocating for a policy and regulatory environment that will foster business growth and unlock more potential for job creation.”
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., one of the authors of a bill to change the sugar program, said in an NCA news release, “The candy industry is one of the bright spots of our economy that has seen continued growth.”
Ayotte noted that she had recently visited Lindt- Sprüngli USA’s headquarters in Stratham, N.H., and learned about their plans to expand and hire additional workers.
The study also notes that “the confectionery industry is doing its part to help address the ongoing conversation about food and nutrition policy, wellness and food safety.”
In addition to NCA’s front-of-pack labeling program that “puts calorie information right at consumers’ fingertips,” companies representing the majority of the industry and its products have joined the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, including The Hershey Company, Mars, Inc., Nestlé USA, Mondelēz International, Inc., Ferrero USA, Inc., and American Licorice Company, the news release said.
Most people in the United States enjoy candy about twice a week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items, the release said.
The American Sugar Alliance, the organization of cane and beet growers that defends the sugar program, quickly responded to the study with its own news release.
The confectionary industry’s addition of jobs “during the worst recession America has seen since the Great Depression — a time that saw overall U.S. unemployment rise rapidly — is an accomplishment for which big candy companies should be proud. And it's one that would have never been possible without a reliable and affordable supply of homegrown sugar,” ASA said.
“Too bad the Big Candy lobby refuses to take credit for all this job growth and economic expansion. Instead, it's busy trying to trick Congress into believing that U.S. sugar farmers and no-cost sugar policy are somehow causing confectioners unbearable economic pain,” ASA concluded.
The “Power of Sweet” study says the $35 billion confectionary industry employs 55,000 people in the United States, and leads to employment for more than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries.
The study takes the high road and does not mention the industry’s frequent attempts to make changes to the U.S. sugar program, but the news release noted that executives from top confectionary companies had shared the data with members of Congress this week while they were
“advocating for a policy and regulatory environment that will foster business growth and unlock more potential for job creation.”
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., one of the authors of a bill to change the sugar program, said in an NCA news release, “The candy industry is one of the bright spots of our economy that has seen continued growth.”
Ayotte noted that she had recently visited Lindt- Sprüngli USA’s headquarters in Stratham, N.H., and learned about their plans to expand and hire additional workers.
The study also notes that “the confectionery industry is doing its part to help address the ongoing conversation about food and nutrition policy, wellness and food safety.”
In addition to NCA’s front-of-pack labeling program that “puts calorie information right at consumers’ fingertips,” companies representing the majority of the industry and its products have joined the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, including The Hershey Company, Mars, Inc., Nestlé USA, Mondelēz International, Inc., Ferrero USA, Inc., and American Licorice Company, the news release said.
Most people in the United States enjoy candy about twice a week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items, the release said.
The American Sugar Alliance, the organization of cane and beet growers that defends the sugar program, quickly responded to the study with its own news release.
The confectionary industry’s addition of jobs “during the worst recession America has seen since the Great Depression — a time that saw overall U.S. unemployment rise rapidly — is an accomplishment for which big candy companies should be proud. And it's one that would have never been possible without a reliable and affordable supply of homegrown sugar,” ASA said.
“Too bad the Big Candy lobby refuses to take credit for all this job growth and economic expansion. Instead, it's busy trying to trick Congress into believing that U.S. sugar farmers and no-cost sugar policy are somehow causing confectioners unbearable economic pain,” ASA concluded.
