Last updated on September 22nd, 2015 at 09:18 pm
Candy making fuels the American economy to great effect, according to a new National Confectioners Association (NCA) report.
The confectionery industry directly employs 55,000 people in the United States, and more than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood.
For every job that is created in confectionery, another seven are supported in related industries.
“This is an industry positioned for growth and opportunity, and we are creating American products with American workers in cities and towns throughout America,” said John H. Downs, NCA president and CEO. “Our products represent honest, affordable, great tasting, fun, transparent treats. Our 1:7 multiplier effect is a huge benefit to our economy—and that is the power of sweet.”
The candy industry comprises hundreds of small and medium size family-owned businesses as well as the multi-national companies with global brands that operate more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states.
U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire) and U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) joined industry leaders at The Newseum in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17 to unveil the new economic impact data, sharing it with members of Congress, government officials and other stakeholders. Executives from top confectionery companies advocated for a policy and regulatory environment that will foster business growth and unlock more potential for job creation.
“The candy industry is one of the bright spots of our economy that has seen continued growth,” Ayotte said. “Last month I visited Lindt–Sprüngli USA’s headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire, and learned about their plans to expand and hire additional workers. Lindt also partners with local technical high schools and community colleges to educate students about potential career opportunities. In the Senate, I’m working on multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation aimed at bringing together business and education institutions to build help build a stronger workforce and create a better environment for job creation and growth.”
Many thousands of American jobs in the candy industry have been lost in the past 20 years due to the insistence of Congress in supporting the US sugar producers. US sugar does not and cannot compete with sugar from more tropical countries. So Congress requires US candy manufacturers to buy this US produced sugar at prices WAY above foreign competitors. The hard candy business, which used to employ thousands of US workers has virtually disappeared. Congress put a number of good, solid US companies out of business. Not something that should be bragged about!!!