Spangler Candy Co. is getting out the vote. The Bryan, Ohio-based candy maker, which produces 8 million Dum Dum Pops per day — in 16 varieties, ranging from Butterscotch to Blu Raspberry, plus its famous Mystery Flavor — wants the American public to choose the next two flavors for its assortment.

“The country faces a number of big decisions this year, and the election is dominating the news and discussions,” says Jim Knight, vice president of marketing for Spangler. “Many kids want to participate in the excitement, and this Pop Vote is a great way to accomplish that. ... It will show them that their opinion matters.”

Everyone will enjoy trying the fun new flavors, adds brand manager Mike Rosenblatt, “but then to go to the online voting booth, cast your vote and pull that lever makes it extra exciting.”

Starting June 1, shoppers can purchase limited-edition, specially marked Pop Vote ’08 bags containing the eight candidates — Banana Split, Strawberry Shortcake, Cool Lime, Orange Cream, Luscious Lemon, Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Caramel and Raspberry Cream — competing for Dum Dum status. Consumers can cast their ballots in the online voting station at www.dumdumpops.com. The polls close at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. Voting instructions are provided in the official Pop Vote ’08 bags.

Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines! Mars Snackfood’s SNICKERS brand and NASCAR driver Kyle Busch of the No. 18 SNICKERS Toyota Camry are gearing up fans for the 2008 racing season with the SNICKERS brand ULTIMATE GARAGE SALE Sweepstakes.

To enter, fans can purchase specially marked SNICKERS King Size products until April 20, 2008, and look under the wrapper to locate an entry code for redemption at www.snickers.com. The promotion began Feb. 11. Among the prizes consumers can win from a variety of official NASCAR sponsors on a weekly basis are:

• A VIP trip for four to Miami, Fla., to attend the NASCAR season finale

• 30 $500 SUNOCO gift cards.

• Six Sony home entertainment systems

• Eight $5,000 home makeovers from Home Depot

• 50 EA Sports PS3 3-game packs featuring NASCAR ’08, Madden ’08 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf

• A new 2009 Toyota Matrix “S”

“This sweepstakes is such a cool promotion that SNICKERS is doing,” Busch says. “It’s so much fun for us, and it means a lot when our sponsor does something like this for the fans.”

The program really engages NASCAR aficionados, adds Michele Kessler, vice president of marketing for Mars. “As the official chocolate bar of NASCAR, SNICKERS is a staple for race fans both on and off the track.”

For more information, visit www.mars.com.

Frequent snackers are more likely than light snackers to be healthy eaters.

The Tic Tac brand, Somerset, N.J., has announced the launch of Mintertainment! — a new trade promotion featuring a colorful sales kit, in-store displays, discount offers and a supportive nationwide FSI.

The promotion capitalizes on the interactive media phenomenon and encourages consumers to capture their breathtaking Tic Tac moments on video for posting on www.mintertainment.com. A $10,000 grand prize will be matched with a $10,000 charitable donation on behalf of the winner’s retailer.

A limited supply of coupon-packed Mintertainment! Guides will be available on special displays at participating retail outlets nationwide. The program rolls out April 15.

Candy Dynamics, Indianapolis, Ind., will celebrate Earth Day April 22 with its second annual Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy and Toxic Takedown Challenge. The program aims to promote environmental awareness for kids ages six and up, encouraging them to pay tribute to Mother Earth by actively participating in Earth Day festivities.

The public can visit www.toxicwastecandy.com through May 31 to enter a drawing for the chance to win the grand prize of a week’s supply of Toxic Waste candy and a $500 U.S. EE Series Savings Bond. An additional 25 runners-up will win Toxic Waste Candy, as well. Winners will be announced online June 6.

In honor of Earth Day, Candy Dynamics also is sharing a list of environmental practices for at home, at school and on the road. General guidelines include the following:

• Recycle paper: Recycling a stack of newspapers just 4 ft. high will save a good-sized tree.

• Reduce garbage production: Participate in bulk-buying programs so that you can purchase larger quantities of items with less packaging.

• Buy durable: Invest in long-lasting, multiple-use items that are less disposable and not as cheaply made.