Candy corn polarizes sweet-toothed Americans

The seasonal treat is big business—Brach’s alone reportedly produces 22 million pounds of the stuff annually, and while they sell the bulk of the tricolored candy (about 85%), others are in on the game, so add a few million more pounds to that astronomical figure and you have the total amount of it consumed every year. Still, not everyone loves it (I do—if you don’t want your share, please send it my way). The candy producer has released a fun breakdown of which states love candy corn the most:

• Utah
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Indiana
• Missouri
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Colorado
• Oklahoma
• Minnesota

Lesaffre brand backs bakery education in Africa

Courtesy of So They CanBakery companies often have big hearts—programs geared toward giving back to communities and lifting up others are fairly common in the industry. Red Star Yeast is one industry partner with that in common; the company has partnered with So They Can, an international nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Africa, focusing on communities in Kenya and Tanzania. The company’s support is enabling partner schools in the region to learn to produce their own food. “Key educational indicators such as attendance and achievement rise when students have access to proper sustenance,” states Red Star Yeast CEO Thomas Benner. “We want our involvement to create a lasting impact.”

Squishy, smelly sweets

Courtesy of Incredible GroupFor people who really love their sweet treats and don’t want to stop at just snacking on them, Squishi toys are here to help. Produced by Incredible Group, this new line of toys features squishy, scented playthings featuring the likenesses and smells of several popular candies and snacks. The toys include products that look like Sour Patch Kids, Ring Pop lollipops, Bazooka candies, Swedish Fish, and Toxic Waste sours. According to the company, these types of toys are all the rage with youngsters like the Gen Alpha set, with clips on TikTok and other video platforms drawing scores of views.

These snack cakes taste Strange(r)

Courtesy of Cookies UnlimitedThe Netflix hit series is coming back for its final season next month, and the food industry can’t get enough of the show. The spooky show’s logo and beloved characters are popping up on Doritos, frozen pizzas crafted by Palermo Villa, Chips Ahoy cookies, and scores of other treats paying homage to the young citizens of Hawkins. Now CakeBites, maker of grab-and-go layered bite-sized bakery snacks, has gotten in on the fun with specially decorated packages and flavors that feature heroic Eleven, monstrous gormogons, and other elements. “Partnering with Stranger Things—a show that’s all about nostalgia, friendship, and the extraordinary—lets us bring fans a whole new way to enjoy their favorite series,” says Michael Strauss, director of marketing with brand owner Cookies United.

Insomnia Cookies collab shoots and scores

Courtesy of Insomnia Cookies

The late-night bakery brand has joined the New York Knicks lineup as the NBA team’s official cookie. The partnership involves a designated concession stand inside Madison Square Garden, offering up a line of popular flavors like Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter Chip, and Snickerdoodle, and its Cookies IN Ice Cream will be scooped and served to hungry hoops fans. VIP spectators will be able to munch on the treats in select suites throughout the arena. Then, Insomnia Cookies will star in an on-court contest during two regular-season home games, promotional materials in the team app, a sweepstakes with tickets as the prize, and more.

Mars Wrigley ITR toes the line with fashion partnership

Courtesy of Mars Wrigley ITRThe food company’s International Travel Retail division is partnering with casual footwear brand Crocs on some sweet limited-edition footwear. The collection is set to be offered in the stores in two styles: the Classic Clog, covered in a candy graphic with four Jibbitz charms on the front, and heel straps with two more Jibbitz; and the Bae Clog, which comes in women’s sizes, covered in glitter, and several Jibbitz charms. A seven-piece Jibbitz pack is also available. Alyona Fedorchenko, general manager, Global M&M’s Ecosystem, says, “This collaboration allows M&M’s to surprise and delight our fans with an unexpected, unique fashion statement that infuses the power of fun in every step.”

Send your fun snack, bakery, or candy news my way if you've got any. Drop me a line at spinnerj@bnpmedia.com. Happy Friday!