Steve Almond, a self proclaimed
candy freak, decides to set out on a
journey to find the last few remaining candy
factories not owned by the huge conglomerates. He bases his travels on businesses that have been around for decades, passed from generation to generation which make localized and specialized candy, some that he has enjoyed since he was a child and some new treats.
His journey takes him to a small candy factory in Idaho, makers of the Idaho Spud, a marshmallow candy shaped like a potato, where he meets the 36
year old president of the company that wears jeans and a sweatshirt and gets on the factory floor to help repair a persnickety machine. Steve also visits Lake Champlain
Chocolates in Vermont, home to some of the best chocolates in the United States, including the Five Star Bar. And to the warehouse of a 34 year old entrepreneur who had the foresight to buy up large quantities of candies that were being discontinued and now sells them on the website CandyDirect.com. But the journey doesn’t end here. He continues his
adventure by visiting several more mom and pop factories across the United States and delighting in the samples and freebies he acquires along the way.
Through all the
humor in this candy freaks’ adventure is the underlying story about the struggle for these family owned businesses to continue, the enormous cost of advertising and the personal convictions of the owners to stay in business or sell out to corporate America.
Candy Freak is an easy read full of interesting facts about the candy industry that will have you craving chocolate.
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