To the Mayans and Olmecs, the empty oyster shell represented the concept of zero, a central component of any numbering system. 

When I arrived at my early morning media appointment with Mars Chocolate North America Wednesday during the Sweets and Snacks Expo,* I was expecting the usual — a look at the company’s new products, followed by a discussion about said products, followed by them handing me a glorious bag of samples filled with said products (preferably with M&M’s characters on it). 

 When I visit our member candy stores, one of my favorite things to do is to spend time in the retail area and watch the connections customers have with the staff and the store.  

 You’re at a convenience store, you grab a pack of gum in a wild flavor you’ve never seen before, and head over to the counter.  

When word spread that OPM and Carle & Montanari were in merger talks, one couldn’t blame many industry observers for not raising an eyebrow. 

 With its classic yellow box featuring cross-stitched edges, the Whitman’s Sampler has been giving the impression that it’s been around, well forever — but it’s this year that it actually turns 100. 

Michael Holahan, owner of the Pennsylvania General Store, likes to joke that if you can buy it in his shop it was made in his state, unless it says Pennsylvania or Philadelphia on it — then, it was most likely made in China. 

 Last month, making my rounds at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, I had the opportunity to sit down with Marty Thompson, president and ceo of Chirardelli Chocolate Co., and chat about his “Career Day” participation at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard. 

For a candy scientist who already has more than 20 years in the industry ranging from product development to ingredient sales around the world, what could possibly be the highlight of a sweet career? 

M&M’sand Smarties would be virtually unrecognizable without it, and sans this one tiny aspect of candy, you wouldn’t be able to tell what flavor gummy bear or jelly bean you just popped into your mouth.