MIC: Confectionery Tradition at Ferrara Candy

By: Latricia Thomas

Over the years, the name outside the door may have changed at the Ferrara Candy Company, but the sugary candy made inside, is still as sweet.

Starting in 1904, the Brock family Candy Company made confectionery magic in Chattanooga. Today some of those same favorites, like jelly items, orange slices, fruit slices and spice drops are sold under the Brach's label. Chocolate clusters, double dippers, malted milk balls, bridge mix, almond raisins, and Easter favorites are made at the Jersey Pike factory with one key ingredient that comes straight to the site by train: millions of pounds of sugar.

Marshmallow eggs are shipped to the Scenic City where some of the 150 employees coat them with sugar, add fruity flavor and a collection of colors. After 24 hours on the drying rack, it's time for the marshmallow miniatures to head to the polishing room where the eggs get their gleam.

"We have 7 different colors, 7 different flavors," says operations manager Greg Land. "You have to get them all mixed together before packaging, and that's what we're doing on this conveyer belt here."

This is where Ron Dyer, a 30-year candy veteran steps in, making sure each piece is up to par. "It always makes you proud when you run something," Dyer says, "and people buy it in the store. That's always kind of neat."

After the scales sort 9 ounces of candy, it's time for a bag, box a trip to the warehouse, and soon, to a store or basket near you. "Easter is one of our biggest seasonal items here at the Chattanooga location," Land says. "We literally make millions of eggs for Easter.  It's where the Easter Bunny does all the shopping."

For more information on the Ferrara Candy company, click here to visit their website.