April 13, 2004
Wolfgang Candy Company Awarded Pennsylvania Preferred� Status
YORK, Pa. - Wolfgang Candy Company Inc. today announced it has been awarded Pennsylvania Preferred� status by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Market Development, a division of the state's Department of Agriculture. As part of a new program created to benefit consumers, retailers, processors, wholesalers and growers across the state, the award recognizes companies whose business practices support Pennsylvania farmers and the local economy and whose products adhere to the highest safety and quality standards.
"The Department of Agriculture encourages consumers to buy local products bearing the PA Preferred brand," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis C. Wolff. "Purchasing local products benefits farmers and consumers alike - farmers benefit from increased revenues, while consumers find comfort in the knowledge that they are buying great-tasting, high-quality products."
In order to be awarded Pennsylvania Preferred status, a manufacturer/processor must perform at least 75% of its products' processing/manufacturing operations within Pennsylvania, and 75% of the company's revenues must be generated by these same Pennsylvania-produced products. When consumers choose PA Preferred products, they are buying food grown and/or processed to meet the world's highest quality and safety standards. In addition, consumers are doing their part to preserve farmland and wildlife habitat and personally helping to keep farmers and food processing jobs in Pennsylvania.
"As a third-generation, family-owned business, we are honored to receive this recognition from our home state," said Mike Schmid, managing partner at Wolfgang Candy Company. "Going forward, we intend to proudly display the Pennsylvania Preferred� logo on our packaging and other key materials and literature. Wolfgang Candy has been a part of the Central Pennsylvania community for 83 years, added Schmid, and we are dedicated to supporting our neighbors and the Pennsylvania economy."