It’s the most wonderful time of the year for the confectionery industry: the winter holidays. Chocolate and candy can play a role in year-round celebrations, but the $4.9 billion dollar winter holidays season is where these treats shine, with more than half of Americans saying they plan to celebrate the season by gifting confectionery products.
Portion Guidance in Action
The chocolate and candy industry is providing more information about what’s in our products and bringing more transparency, choice and portion guidance options to consumers seeking to manage their sugar intake – whether that’s buying candy for family celebrations at home, picking up a treat to share with friends, or treating yourself on the way out of the store.
Featured News
BREAKING NEWS: There Is A Right Way to Enjoy Candy Corn
Is there a better debate than the one surrounding candy corn? Love it or hate it, consumers report that there is a right way to enjoy it – and the National Confectioners Association has done the heavy lifting in terms of public opinion research to get to the bottom of this burning question. A recent NCA survey found that 33% of candy corn loyalists nibble the narrow white end, just 16% start with the wider yellow end – and more than half of all consumers just go for it and eat the entire piece at once.
Halloween is Always A Treat – This Year, It’s Even Sweeter
Chocolate and candy are a centerpiece in so many Halloween traditions – making the season’s arrival the most exciting time of the year for the confectionery industry. I’m thrilled to share that this year, the Halloween season is even sweeter because America’s chocolate and candy companies delivered on their commitment to helping consumers manage their sugar intake by providing more transparency, choice and portion guidance options when it comes to our favorite treats.
The Power of SWEET
Manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints directly employ nearly 58,000 people across the United States with almost 700,000 jobs supported in related industries, including agriculture, retail, transportation and more. Altogether, the confectionery industry contributes more than $37 billion in retail sales to the U.S. economy each year and has at least one manufacturing facility in each of the fifty U.S. states.
Always A TREAT
America’s leading chocolate and candy companies have committed to providing consumers with information, options, and support as they enjoy their favorite treats, pledging half of their individually wrapped products will be available in sizes that contain 200 calories or less per pack and 90 percent will feature calorie information on the front of the pack by 2022.
Fun and UNIQUE
Chocolate, candy, gum and mints hold a special place in our lives. From holidays and celebrations to everyday moments of joy, confectionery can play a role in a happy, balanced lifestyle. America’s candy makers are proud to be part of those family traditions. Yes, we makes delicious treats, but we’re also helping to make memories.
Meet our MEMBER COMPANIES
Palmer Candy
What began as a family venture in 1878, Palmer Candy has become an iconic producer of chocolate and candy known for its commitment to quality and reliability. The creator of the Bing candy bar, a favorite in the Midwest, Palmer Candy also produces holiday offerings including an expansive line of chocolate bark available in both peppermint and hot cocoa flavors. Still a family-run company in Sioux Falls, Iowa, Palmer Candy prides itself on its classic and innovative confectionery offerings – all of which are created using the best ingredients and time-honored production techniques.
Find out more about other NCA member companies in your state!
Did You Know?
78%
of all adults believe it is perfectly fine to occasionally treat with chocolate or candy
2-3x
Number of times per week, most people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate & candy
110
One U.S. confectionery job supports ten other American jobs
ABOUT NCA
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the U.S. confectionery industry, which generates more than $37 billion in retail sales each year. Making chocolate, candy, gum and mints, the industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and work to ensure that chocolate and candy are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy.
OUR MISSION
Foster an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and promote the unique role of confections in a happy, balanced lifestyle. The National Confectioners Association advances, protects and promotes the confectionery industry.
OUR VISION
Chocolate and candy are celebrated for their contributions to our culture, our society, our economy and our everyday moments of joy.
