subject: Candy Gifts Are Patriotic [print this page] While people tout the return of manufacturing to the United States as a great indicator that there is a real chance for economic recovery as well as a new way forward, I am reminded of the bold manufacturers who stayed here. Candy of course is something that Americans are known for and in large part candy manufacturing has remained a domestic pursuit, employing thousands and keeping candy flowing into American retailers for years. It is a pursuit that seems uniquely American in it's joyful exuberance and ebullient spirit.
Everything from large candy bars to fruity gummy bears to chocolate covered pretzels make their way down the conveyor belts of factories throughout the United States. Each delicious sweet treat carrying with it a mark of tasty patriotism. Supporting American jobs can be as easy as loading up a candy gift bag with all of your favorite snacks and giving them out to friends around holidays or birthdays.
Fuel costs have recently skyrocketed and the long term effects of globalization has increased workers pay all over the world. As a result many manufacturing plants have moved back to the United States. This means that company's are coming around about costs of American production, labor, and raw materials. It also means that simply buying American has gotten easier and easier.
In large part food production remained a local pursuit for a wide variety of reasons. Still the ascent of certain artisan chocolate brands, fruit candy brands, even bulk dried fruit brands, lead to some drop off in these factories setting up shop in America. Luckily the aforementioned reasons for general manufacturing to make a comeback in the States has also fortified the relatively sound industry of candy production. These days kosher candy makes it's way all over the world from a number of states. The jobs created are good ones that do not necessarily require a college degree. They create opportunities for upward mobility in areas that may have not otherwise seen such chances.
It is rare that we would think of indulging in something as purely joyful as eating candy a patriotic act but in times of economic distress the things you put your money in matter. You should take pride in our national love affair with candy. It is not just sugary treats for kids. It is a vital fuel for the economic engine which powers this whole country and to some extent the planet as a whole.
