Alyse Thompson-Richards

According to a new Packaged Facts study, candy and boxed chocolates make up nearly a quarter of food gift sales.

Packaged Facts: Boxed chocolates, candies account for nearly a quarter of food gift sales

Food gift sales expected to reach $18 billion in 2016.

August 17, 2016

In the fifth edition of “Food Gifting in the U.S.,” Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, reports that 28 percent of consumers gave boxed chocolates and candies to someone else in the last 12 months.

Hannah Vezzetti is the 2016-2017 winner of the John Kitt Memorial Scholarship.

Vezzetti named 2016-2017 John Kitt Memorial Scholarship winner

AACT awards $5,000 to Delaware Valley University senior.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 17, 2016

The American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) recently announced Hannah Vezzetti, a senior at Delaware Valley University, as the recipient of the 2016-2017 John Kitt Memorial Scholarship. The association gives the $5,000 award to aspiring candy technologists.

Sisters who run Flesor’s Candy Kitchen have come full circle.

The Flesor sisters return home, resurrect their grandfather’s candy store and bring new life to a small town.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

September 24, 2012

For the residents of Tuscola, Ill., stepping into Flesor’s Candy Kitchen feels like going back in time.

Double whammy

Adding fruits and nuts to confections accents healthful benefits of both while delivering taste, texture characteristics.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

September 24, 2012

In a way, sliding fruits and nuts between two slabs of chocolate is just like spreading peanut butter and jelly between two slices of bread.

The latest trends for premium candy

By emphasizing quality — from ingredients through processing — candy makers maximize affordable indulgences.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

September 18, 2012

For Phyllis LeBlanc, hand dipping chocolates at Harbor Sweets meant more than a steady paycheck during her time at Salem State College — it was an exercise in what would become her future.

Multi-functional uses continue to expand

Aside from using starches for operational benefits, candy technologists see opportunities by addressing market niches.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 21, 2012

If creating candy is like juggling, then for many confectioners, starches are like a third hand.

Choice chocolate from the Aloha State

Dylan Butterbaugh’s Manoa Chocolate offers premium, sustainable sweets

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 21, 2012

Known for its golden pineapples, white sand beaches and righteous surfing, Hawaii can now — thanks to Dylan Butterbaugh — add fine chocolate to its “reasons to visit” list.

It’s good to be queen

‘Candy Queen’ Jackie Sorkin balances motherhood with her booming candy business.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 20, 2012

Hollywood Candy Girls creator Jackie Sorkin doesn’t get star struck — unless Oprah is involved, that is.

Ancient chocolate spice discovered

College, Mexican anthropological institute find 2,500-year-old cocoa samples on Mayan pottery.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 8, 2012

Cocoa has long been used to flavor sweets, sauces and drinks, but as it turns out, it’s been a cherished ingredient much longer than originally thought — 2,500 years longer, to be exact.

Down for the 'calorie' count

Calorie counting methodology study by USDA raises more questions

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 8, 2012

In an age when counting calories has become just as important as counting nickels and dimes, a new study how those calories are counted could give dieters the trick they’re looking for. Or so it seems.