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Alyse Thompson-Richards

Alyse Thompson-Richards has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products magazine since March 2019, and is currently the editor-in-chief of Food Engineeering magazine. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.

Articles

ARTICLES

Reveling with RCI in Asheville

Spring Regional Conference held April 9-12 in Asheville, N.C.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 18, 2018

Last June, Associate Editor Alyse Thompson only got a taste of what a Retail Confectioners International event entails. Fortunately — for her — Editor-in-Chief Bernie Pacyniak had other obligations, so she covered RCI’s Spring Regional Conference in Asheville, N.C., solo.

Federal judge sides with Wrigley over vape liquid trademark infringement suit

Get Wrecked Juices ordered to desist selling products with Wrigley branding, cover court costs.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 18, 2018

A federal judge has sided with Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. in a trademark infringement suit that suggested a Florida vape shop used names too similar to the gum and mint giant’s branding to sell its e-cigarette liquids.

Former ceo launches fundraising effort to save NECCO

Massachusetts company faces layoffs if it doesn’t find a buyer.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 18, 2018

A past president and ceo of New England Confectionery Co. (NECCO) has launched an initiative to save the Revere, Mass.-based manufacturer, which faces laying off nearly 400 employees if it doesn’t find a buyer.

Super-premium chocolate helps drive growth in U.S. chocolate market

High-quality ingredients, care in preparation fuels interest in super-premium chocolate, despite price.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 18, 2018

American consumers may equally love chocolate, but not all chocolate is created equal.

Sunsations fruit jellies

JDW Distributors, Orange, Calif.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 18, 2018

Sunsations are jelly candies with powerful fruit flavors and a tender texture.

THINaddictives Chocolate Chip Artisan Thin Cookies

Nonni's Foods, Tulsa, Okla.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 17, 2018

Nonni's Foods has introduced a lineup of Chocolate Chip Artisan Thin Cookies.

CandyRific Surprise Candy Pals

CandyRific, Louisville, Ky.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 13, 2018

CandyRific has launched Candy Surprise Pals, which includes a four-inch plastic ball container with a scented plush animal toy.

Dragon Fruit wins Morinaga America’s flavor vote

New flavor to hit U.S. shelves in 2019.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 12, 2018

The results are in: Voters in Morinaga America’s East Meets West Flavor Challenge have decided to make Dragon Fruit the newest HI-CHEW flavor in the United States.

Davis Chocolate expands from private label to branded items

Wonka-like founder Brent Davis turns passion for chocolate, manufacturing experience into Indiana's only bean-to-bear operation.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 12, 2018

Brent Davis, a veritable Wonka himself, founded Indiana's only bean-to-bar chocolate operation, Mishawaka-based Davis Chocolate.

Candystore.com sees NECCO wafer sales boom after news of potential layoffs breaks

Sales of NECCO wafers went up 63 percent.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

April 11, 2018

Online bulk candy retailer Candystore.com says it has seen a boom in NECCO wafer sales after Revere, Mass.-based New England Confectionery Co. announced in March it could face major layoffs and possible closure if it doesn’t find a buyer.

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Opopop aims to heat up microwave popcorn category

Hershey showcases its new strategies at Sweets & Snacks Expo

Hershey showcases new strategies, candy

Hard candy evolves beyond traditional sweetness

Events

August 20, 2025

Breaking the Mold: Fresh Perspectives on Modern Bakery Packaging Solutions

On-Demand Join us for a practical look at how bakeries can modernize packaging lines and better align with emerging retail and environmental demands. Key takeaways:

June 23, 2026

Better Bread: Smarter Formulation

BFY bill while still delivering the taste, texture, and other attributes that consumers aren’t so willing to compromise on. In this focused presentation, an expert from a leading producer will discuss their experiences and perspectives on ways to craft recipes that hit all the marks.

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Products

Natural Food Flavors and Colorants, 2nd Edition

Although many foods are appealing, and even perceived as natural, in spite of containing synthetic additives, consumer increasingly prefer food products which are fully natural.

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