If you are doing a story on Halloween candy prices and/or nutrition, I have two faculty experts you may want to consider speaking with. You can view their names and information below. If you’d like to schedule an interview, please reach out to Vanesssa Marquette, media relations speciliast, at vrmarque@syr.edu.
Maryam Yuhas, assistant professor at Syracuse University’s Falk College, has studied the intake of added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage in rural adults and adolescents in southwest Virginia. You can read more about her work by viewing her biography. In regards to the Halloween candy this year, Yuhas writes: “CNN recently reported soaring cocoa prices, which could mean smaller chocolate bars and pricier candy this Halloween. As parents opt for fewer chocolates and more non-chocolate sweets, the risk of high consumption of added sugars remains. To keep things balanced this Halloween, parents can set limits on candy, encourage moderation, and fuel up with a healthy meal before trick-or-treating. For a fun twist, try the “Switch Witch” trick: let kids keep a few favorites, then leave the rest outside their door overnight. In exchange, the witch delivers a small toy or prize. For older kids, you can also try the “Candy Buyback” method. Offer your child the opportunity to “sell” their candy back to you. Set a rate like 10 pieces of candy in exchange for a small toy, book, or special outing. You might also opt to hand out glow sticks or other small, fun trinkets to replace candy when trick-or-treaters come to your door. This not only cuts down on sugar but adds an extra level of fun and safety to Halloween night. These are a few sweet ways to promote healthy habits this Halloween!”
Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, can speak to the supply chain issues and prices of Halloween candy. Recently, he did interviews with EWTN Nightly News, Washington Post, Food Logistics, and many other outlets about recent supply chain matters. You can view other past media clips here.
