Diane Trout, account manager and business development for Blommer Chocolate Co., has been awarded the 2019 Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award by Retail Confectioners International.

This Thanksgiving there’s a lot to be thankful for — especially in the candy industry. Here are three things that Editor Crystal Lindell is especially grateful for this year.

The Blommer Chocolate Co., will be acquired by Fuji Oil Holding, Inc., a global leader in oil and fat ingredients serving the food industry.  

The cocoa industry made big promises for sustainable cocoa that mostly come due in 2020, but now that the deadline is just a little more than a year away, many of those companies are shifting the timeline. 

Blommer Chocolate Co. has launched a new initiative under its sustainability program to further support cocoa farmers in Cote D’Ivoire. 

And although Atkins does quote several analysts and trots out dire statistics to make his case, this call to alarm could be called a bit of a stretch, somewhat akin to the sensational headlines last year indicating a looming chocolate shortage. 

Blommer Chocolate announced several new hires for key positions today. Joining North America’s largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier are David Meggs as v.p. of sales and marketing; Scott Amoye as v.p. of commodity risk management; and Margaret Sofio, as chief people officer. The company also revealed that it has promoted Scott Wasilak to sales director.

Long-time confectionery veteran Jan O’Brien has returned to the chocolate industry as she takes on new responsibilities as a signature line chocolate brand manager for Blommer Chocolate.