NCA goes behind the scenes of America’s chocolate and candy industry with new video series

America’s National Confectioners Association (NCA) is kicking off 2020 with a new video series that goes behind the scenes at some of the nation’s favorite candy and chocolate companies, introducing the processes and the people - who, to some, have the most enviable job in the world.

Produced and distributed by the NCA, ‘The Sweet Life’ is now streaming​ from its website and the series got underway with a look at Spangler Candy Company – maker of candy canes, Dum-Dums, circus peanuts, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts and other iconic treats.

“At Spangler, we bring a sense of pride to the work that we do and the candy that we create, and we’re excited to share that with Americans across the country through our products and through The Sweet Life series​,” Kirk Vashaw, CEO of Spangler Candy Company and chairman of the NCA Board of Trustees, said.

“Bryan, Ohio, has been our home for a long time, and we’re pleased to provide viewers the opportunity to see what our community and our company are all about​.”

Fun and informative

Each of the episodes are two minutes max in length and are fun as well as informative. The second episode in the series features The Madelaine Chocolate Company, based in Rockaway Beach, New York – a multigenerational family company that makes iconic foil-wrapped chocolates for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Easter, National Candy Month, Halloween and the winter holidays.

“In the age of digital video streaming, we’re leveraging the moment to highlight the faces and voices of chocolate and candy makers like never before and turn the fascinating story of the confectionery industry into a binge-worthy media moment​,” said John Downs, president and CEO of NCA. “There’s nothing quite like getting a behind-the-scenes tour from the people responsible for making the treats that we all know and love​.”

Downs said future episodes will launch throughout the year and feature companies and brands including Smarties, Perfetti Van Melle (maker of Airheads and Mentos), Elmer Chocolate and more.

According to the NCA, chocolate, candy, gum and mints are produced in all 50 US states, creating jobs for approximately 54,000 workers in more than 1,300 manufacturing facilities across the country.