Tag Archives: bulk candy

A Lesson in Gobstoppers

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Gobstoppers to teach science, what a concept! The entire class is given a gobstopper to suck and told that they are sucking away the layers of the planet. The first layer is the earths crust, easily recognized as gone from the gobstopper when the outer color of the blue planet is breached and the students have revealed the outer mantle. This layer is thicker than the earths crust and represented by a change in color which changes again when the student reaches the inner mantle.

At this stage the students have learnt the three outer layers of the planet and are associating this experience with sucking on candy. The lesson is appealing to the tactile, auditory and visual learners in the class which means every student is getting this in the learning style that suits their character, and the geology lesson isn’t over yet. The students now reach the outer core, again represented by a change in color, the gobstopper globe is now approximately half the size it was when it was whole and the texture of the core is softer than the mantle.

As the student sucks nearer to the center the globe will continue to become softer and change in color and soon students will come to the inner core of the globe and their gobstopper. Here the texture of the gobstopper and the earth globe becomes soft and malleable. In the earth globe that is because the temperature has risen to 10 000 degrees Celsius. In the gobstopper it is simply because the delicious gummy center, and the end of the lesson, has been reached. Who is the first student in the class that can say what this inner core is made of and why it is softer and hotter than the outer core?

Shipping Candy

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Shipping candy is an art that requires wholesalers to have very specific methods in place in order to ensure that bulk candy shipments find their destinations in the same state they left the warehouse. In extreme temperatures this is not always an easy feat. Both candy wholesalers and retailers could tell stories of entire shipments that have melted, molded or faded into unrecognizable globs of goo. Candy is also heavy and so the cost of shipping over any distance will often run into ridiculously high amounts. Most retailers will look for a company that offers flat rate shipping to ameliorate that problem, even when special packaging for temperature is required.

That’s why retailers appreciate candy companies who spend the time and expense required to ship candy that always arrives as fresh and perfect as it was when it left the shop floor. Often this effort will garner customer loyalty even when competition is fierce in the industry. That’s because most retailers know that building a reliable relationship with a consistently competent candy wholesaler is not easy. It is a time consuming process, often encumbered with many trials and errors before the right company is found.

To achieve freshness that survives the delivery process it is imperative for candy wholesalers to streamline processes to ensure that candy is stored for a very short period, and that it is kept at the correct temperatures through every step of the candy shipping process. On hot days that will mean the candy wholesaler will have to take the time to pack the candy and or chocolate on ice and to ensure that warehouse temperatures are kept moderate. That kind of attention to detail isn’t something every candy wholesaler is willing to offer so, when you find one that will, they’re worth their weight in gold – or should I say sugar.

Sugar Rush

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Despite evidence to the contrary many parents still believe that sugar causes hyperactivity in their kids so they won’t give them candy. While this has been proved an old wives tale, many parents will nonetheless swear to the fact that their kids go bonkers on sugar. There are two probabilities for this happening.

The first is that if a persons glucose levels are low, the ingestion of glucose into the body will feel like a sugar rush resulting in an increased burst of energy. This is similar to the replenishment of many other nutrients that the body requires. For example, an anaemic person (a person with low iron) will feel lethargic and when a couple of iron tablets are taken they will feel a rush of energy very quickly. This will only occur if iron levels are low and the same is true for glucose. A sugar rush will only be experienced by a person low in glucose which is necessary for proper body function.

The second possibility is that parents and children expect sugar to translate into hyperactivity and so it does – the placebo effect. This is not to say that a person is faking, not at all. The power of the mind over the body is a well known fact. If the mind believes something to be true it can easily create a physical response in line with that belief.  This is never more evident than when a child is hurt or sad and a parent offers candy consolation.  We’ve all seen a child go from severe distress to smiles when a candy or chocolate is offered. This isn’t the child faking it, nor was the child’s suffering unreal. The placebo effect of candy and chocolate for young children is so strong that the minds link between candy and pleasure takes over from the very real pain the child is feeling.

Although the evidence suggests that sugar itself doesn’t hype kids up, parents aren’t imagining things. Between low glucose levels and a placebo effect children exhibit an evident response to the candy. The twist is that what the candy is doing is actually improving the glucose and psychological condition of the child’s body.

Hard Times Sweetened by Candy

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As the global recession seems to drag on and on candy consumption, which peaked in the U.S. at the height of the recession, continues unabated. It seems that stress and difficult times are inducement for candy consuming comfort. That’s good news for candy suppliers who have experienced across the board sales increases since 2009. Candy pundits attribute the rise to the benefits of candy as an inexpensive comfort food.

Interestingly the last big candy boom was during the depression of the 1930s which certainly supports the idea that when times are tough people eat more candy. The great depression also prompted the creation of a number of popular confections which remain favorites today such as Snickers, Tootsie Pops, Mars bars with almonds and Three Musketeers, all created in the early 1930s. Pretzel filled M&Ms have just been introduced and it will be interesting to see if the world will enjoy another candy creation boom.

Many professionals, especially in the world of business are using candy to assuage battle worn customers, clients and employees. Some professionals who have always had candy available to visitors are finding they have to fill their candy bowls significantly more often. When it comes to comfort candy, traditional candy is the most popular. The nostalgia of childhood candy, like hard candy and gumballs, (coupled with the expense of gourmet products) make these the ones people crave most in a recession and during hard times.

The benefit of candy isn’t just rooted in nostalgia and fond memories. Chocolate, licorice and other ingredients in candy do raise endorphin and serotonin levels in the people who eat them. Raised endorphin and serotonin levels equal increased happy feelings and mood. Some candy makers won’t use fructose corn syrup because they say it is bad for the brain neurotransmitters that carry the happy hormones.

Some studies have shown that difficult times increase sales in other indulgences like alcohol and cigarettes. Next to these, candy appears to be an excellent and fulfilling alternative for relieving stress and lightening the mood. Plus, there is no SIN tax on candy!

Hard Candy Fitness

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Well it has finally been done and by Madonna no less! The music superstar has combined fitness with pleasure, in her newly introduced and now open to the public, Hard Candy Fitness Center. Madonna is a well known fitness fanatic, of course she is – how else do you look that good in your 50s.  The first Hard Candy Fitness Center was opened in Mexico City (in the exclusive area of Bosques de las Lomas) on Monday by the Diva herself who cut the ribbon and opened the doors in front of throngs of fans. Not sure if they were keen to exercise or just get a look at the mega star – I suspect the latter? For a special few there was the opportunity to enjoy both the fitness and the star, as Madonna herself led the first aerobics class.

The Mexico sight is one of 10 international sights on the drawing board including American based locations. Once the Mexico fitness center has been operating for a time; all systems have been tested and excellent system and standard levels have been achieved, the other sights will then go live as well. Madonna herself had a big influence in every aspect of the gym from the design to the music and class choreography. She has created, she hopes, routines and themes which will be fun, motivational and inspirational. The gym itself wants for nothing. It is a massive 30,000 square feet and equipped with every device needed by even the most demanding gym junkie.

When asked about how she determined the name for her fitness centers, which is also the name of her 11th album (Hard Candy) she explained that she liked combining the concepts of hard body with eye candy, hence Hard Candy. She is quoted as saying, “It’s a sexy name that gives you the opportunity to have fun and to build strength as far as the imagination will allow.” Well, we love it!

Translation: Candy – Candy in Different Laguages

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The English word candy is derived from the Persian word for sugar cube and has come to be associated with any sugar or chocolate confection. But would candy by any other name taste as sweet? The French word for candy is bonbon. That definitely still sounds sweet and tempting but so does practically every French word. How about the word for German candy? Süßigkeiten initially looks a bit tricky and harsh but broken down this word for candy becomes more manageable, pronounced something like sooobzig keiyten it is perhaps the German word equivalent of a gobstopper! Caramelle, the Italian word for candy is of course more familiar and thus a bit easier to swallow. Italian candy would definitely still taste as sweet.

Moving continents the Arabic word for candy is halwa which is of course the word from which halva, sweet confections from across the Asian continent, is derived. That makes it pretty sweet. The Spanish have two common words for candy and they are dulce and caramello. With the word caramello of course the Latin language influence is as apparent as with the Italian word for candy. Dulce is a bit different but if pronounced properly and with flourish exudes a very nice flavor indeed. The Hebrew sucariah is an obvious root word for the English sugar which is of course the best vital ingredient in all candy so candy in Hebrew definitely ranks as candy that would taste as sweet.

The most beautiful thing about candy on an international scale is that every single country has, regardless of what it is or how it sounds, a word for candy. On a parting note here are a few more for you to wrap your lips around and sink your teeth into! In the Philippines candy is minatamis or kendi, in China it’s tang, in Dutch snoep and in Hindi, chahiye. Wherever you are in the world and however you say it, we hope your candy is as sweet as ours is!

Fundraising Candy

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Every year millions of children around the world set out in their neighborhoods to raise funds for charity. Worthy organizations or local sporting or cultural clubs are usually the beneficiaries of this unbridled and genuine altruism.

Many candy wholesalers will negotiate even better than wholesale prices for bulk candy if the reason for sale is a good cause, so it is worth letting the candy sales rep know this right from the start. Good wholesale candy company representatives will also offer a wealth of information in terms of successful products, popular items and numbers to order.

Packaged chocolate bars are by far the most popular fundraising candy both in terms of popularity with customers and also bulk buy bargaining. Nonetheless other packaged candy is available for those who want to offer their customers something a little bit different like packets of Sour Mini Gummi Burgers or Mike and Ike Minis or even Mini York Peppermint Patties. Some of the most popular chocolate choices available are Skittles, Toblerone Mini Chocolate bars and Hershey’s Assorted Miniature Chocolate bars.

Fundraising committees will gain better profits if they put a little research into their best fundraising candy sale options. For example, a review of previous fundraising statistics to determine what the best sellers were in years’ past. That way the sale offerings are sure to be popular choices. Also, ask the candy wholesaler to provide the bulk candy in counter sale boxes. That way families with businesses can display the fundraising candy in their reception areas or on store counters. This is also helpful if you have volunteers willing to set up a table outside of grocery or department stores.

Recent statistics show that fundraising is as important as it’s ever been. Statistics show the very large sums of money that exchange hands in donations, just look at these figures from the National Centre for Charitable Statistics (NCSS) online:

  • The number of non-profit organizations in 2009 was 1,569,572 and of these nearly a million were public charities.
  • Non-profits account for nearly 9% of wages and salaries paid in the U.S.
  • In 2007, public charities reported over $1.4 trillion in total revenues and nearly $1.3 trillion in total expenses.
  • 11% of those 1.4 trillion dollars came from “other” sources including dues, rental income, special event income, and gains or losses from goods sold.
  • Approximately 26.4% of Americans over the age of 16 volunteered through or for an organization between September 2007 and September 2008.
  • Educational institutions received the second largest percentage, with 13.3% of total estimated contributions.
  • Human service organizations accounted for 8.4% of total estimated contributions in 2008, the fourth largest share.
  • Individuals gave $229.28 billion in 2008.

Fundraising dollars, when added up, equal very big money, with a large proportion provided by individual donors to education or other non-profit enterprises. There is a reason that 80% of fundraising organizations use fundraising candy. Fundraising candy offers the best to everyone, a treat that buyers WANT to purchase, a product that is fun and easy to sell and revenue for worthy schools or causes – now that’s sweet.

Eye Candy: Candy by Color Ideal for Weddings and Events

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Wedding Candy by Color

Whatever your passion, black, red, yellow, brown…. sweet, sour or just a tad spicy; colored candy is eye candy that will make your mouth water. The idea of colored candy is so simple and yet so sexy and why didn’t someone think of it sooner? White wedding candy, red valentine’s candy, black and white formal or yellow friendship candy are all the trendy rage of any shindig or sentiment worth its salt, or should I say sugar!

We took a look around the world to see what other people think of colored candy and we found some really great stuff! In New Zealand a lolly scramble is a tradition at any event with kids. This is an event where thousands of lollies (colored candy) are thrown from a moving vehicle where masses of children are waiting to scramble for as many as they can carry in their hands and pockets. Believe it or not, large bags of colored candy are sometimes actually thrown out of an airplane onto fields of rampaging children. What would be more amazing than a lolly scramble in a child’s party theme colors?

Of course the piñata is an old Mexican tradition in which children hit at a hanging paper-maché object until it breaks and candy falls. A great colored candy spin on this tradition is where colored candy is used that coincides with the colors of the donkey, or whatever other creature the kids have just bashed to bits – talk about a surprise!

Over on the other side of the world (an English political function) one grown-up event that was absolutely unforgettable was a high profile fundraiser. It had seat covers which became loot bags for raiding the spectacular colored candy tables at the end of the night. The entire candy buffet was laid out in the colors of the organization holding the event and the cloth bags matched to create a keepsake, parting gift and thank you – all in a single colorful gesture. The opportunities for colored candy themes are limited only by the imagination.

The colored candy theme idea has become so popular around the world that there are now color schemers who can, and will, put together a custom theme. Some examples of custom themes are emotive, like a love candy color scheme, or celebratory as with a christening candy color scheme. Some of the hottest schemes today are apparently; 20s, 70s, Brown, Vibrant and Zot. If you can’t afford your own personal colored candy schemer you may be relieved to know that you can buy color scheme software instead. While this might be a little over the top for some, the idea of color coordinating everybody’s favorite food with an event or feeling is popular.

On a more intimate note the colored candy theme is being used in more personal ways; to cheer up someone with a get well bouquet of rainbow colors or to say I am thinking of you in the recipient’s favorite hue. If the eye candy you have in mind isn’t edible, what will win her (his) heart more sweetly than bouquet of red colored candy? Multi colored candy really is the new black!

Candy and Chocolate Sweeteners

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Although everyone knows that candy and chocolate are made with sugar most people don’t realize there is a distinction between types of sugars, quality of sugars and definite pros and cons between using natural and artificial sweeteners. Americans are especially conscious about packing on the pounds and will often turn to artificial sweeteners in an attempt to cut calories. What many people don’t know is that natural sugars are a necessary part of a healthy diet, they are absorbed better and they do not carry with them some of the health concerns of artificial sweeteners which have been implicated in several kinds of cancer.

It is good and commendable to read the ingredients list on everything you buy and this is what every responsible and health conscious consumer should know about candy and chocolate sweeteners. Artificial products used as candy and chocolate sweeteners in several studies have shown weight increases. Whether this is due to increased consumption because people think they can is a possibility, but one of the tests conducted used mice so it may be that these sugars simply don’t burn off as well as natural sugars. Natural sugar is sucrose derived from either sugar cane or from sugar beet and they burn more energy than artificial sweeteners, but they also burn more easily in the human body. Other natural sweeteners like licorice or honey are ingredients often used in candy and chocolate. These products are particularly good for you as both honey and licorice are excellent in terms of health, and both reduce the amount of sugar needed to make the product sweet. Natural sugars used in the production of candy and chocolate are also excellent natural preservatives, often requiring fewer artificial additives to retain quality, texture and shelf life.

The Story of the Candy Bomber

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Candy Bomber Plane

I can’t help but think about the candy bomber story of WWII when I think about bulk candy. I can only imagine the volume of bulk candy that pilot must have had on board his plane to get the response he did from the German children who lived through that war.

Gail Halvorson, a WWII pilot was the candy bomber. He was charged with flying food packages and supplies into Berlin at the end of the war. The soviets were trying to get the Americans back out of Berlin with road blocks so the Americans did what they had to do by air. Delivering tons of food and supplies by plane to circumvent the soviet roadblocks and keep West Berlin free.

Gail was deeply moved by the state of the buildings and landscape he could see from the air and found it difficult to comprehend how the Germans were living amongst that rubble, but over 2 million Germans were. There was also such a lot of sadness and mistrust between the Germans and the Americans from years of fighting. The wounds of war ran deep.

It was this emotion and passion that prompted Gail’s idea for a bulk candy drop over Berlin. This was the most amazing and memorable bulk candy drop in all of history, without a doubt. This unique war hero dropped tiny parachutes filled with bulk candy to German children watching the planes land at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport. The response was instant and deeply moving. Hundreds of German children and their parents wrote to Gail offering their thanks and appreciation.

Gail Halvorson eased the tension between the Germans and Americans, and he made children happy who had survived and lived with such horrors in their young lives, with a candy drop.