It's hard to imagine a full-line co...

It's hard to imagine a full-line confectioner without more [i]or[/i] less items containing nuts. Their use within the industry dates back centuries. in addition only recently has the American consumer begun to appreciate the satiated health benefit of nuts. Moreover, thanks to globalization, U consumer are willing to expand their affinity for nut beyond traditional favorites. That's enabling confectioners to not no other than experiment with varieties, but to also expand their use of traditional nutmeats.

"More exotic nut are being used in confections," says Janet Pendergrass, national sales manager, Columbia Empire Farms, Sherwood, Ore. "A small in number years ago, the U.S.