COUNTY LIFE
Hershey Kisses top Valentine candy in Texas

Since we love data and candy is a fun and relevant holiday topic, we put together a snappy looking interactive map. Some of the results are surprising, and there are a lot of conversation hearts and boxes of chocolate too. The underlying trends are also interesting.
Last year, Covid-19 struck Valentine’s Day hard, according to the National Retail Federation. Spending was down more than 20% from the previous year’s all-time high. People were struggling and there was a once in a lifetime worldwide pandemic. It was understandable.
This year, things are picking back up. The NRF is expecting a near-record breaking year with consumer spending for Valentine’s Day up nearly 10% and reaching $23.9B.
The number of people buying candy is expected to be at a new record high with 56% of consumers planning to buy candy for Valentine’s Day. Expected candy sales volume is also up and at $2.2B would be runner up only to 2020 ($2.4B).
Using sales data from the past 14 years from our online bulk candy store and industry partners, CandyStore.com compiled sales data to determine the most popular Valentine’s Day candy. In the interactive map above, you can hover over a state and see which Valentine’s Day candy they favor – interactive mode not viewable on mobile phones.
Here are some of the key takeaways from our data.
Conversation Hearts Are Back
It was a rough couple years for Sweethearts conversation hearts candy. After Necco got ripped apart and its brands sent off to various bidders, Sweethearts’ new owner took more time than anticipated to get their feet under them. In fact, Sweethearts weren’t available in 2019 at all. As the most popular brand of conversation hearts (Brach’s makes them as well), the sales of conversation hearts overall were down over 24%.
In 2020, they were back but only a limited supply was available. As new owner Spangler hurried to get them out, they ran into some printing issues and the cute little sayings written on them were distorted and blurred. Quite a few of them were blank – no words at all.
Last year was the breakthrough. With Spangler introducing all new sayings on Sweethearts, conversation hearts made a heroic comeback in 2021. Finally overtaking their arch-nemesis Heart-Shaped Boxes of Chocolates.
M&M’s keeps moving up
M&M’s continue to gain traction. They made gains in several states throughout the country, landing a new #1 spots in Vermont.
Since introducing the Cupid’s Message M&M’s in 2017, we’ve seen a rise in M&M’s sales for Valentine’s Day. Cupid’s Mix of Valentine’s Day colored M&M’s has also been very popular. The re-introduction of White Cheesecake M&M’s helped boost them as well.
Cupid Corn Resurgence?
Just when we thought they were fading away, cupid corn made a comeback last year. It even claimed a new #1 state in Nebraska. Also up one spot to #2 in Michigan after falling to third place the prior year.
Valentine’s Day Candy Quick Facts
47% of people said they will buy themselves a box of chocolates this year.
58 million pounds of chocolate are bought during Valentine’s Day week.
The peak selling period for conversation hearts is only 6 weeks long. Wow!
It takes manufacturers 11 months to produce enough for those 6 weeks.
Vodka infused with candy remained popular with conversation hearts last year.
Children receive 39 percent of all Valentine’s Day candy and gifts.
So, which Valentine’s Day candy does your state love the most? In Texas Hershey’s kisses came out on top, with a heart-shaped box of chocolates in second and conversation hearts in third.
COUNTY LIFE
Virtual meeting to address New World screwworm
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Montague County is inviting livestock producers, landowners and wildlife managers to participate in an upcoming online educational meeting focused on the New World screwworm, a parasitic pest that can have serious impacts on livestock and wildlife health.
The virtual meeting will be at 9 a.m. on June 23, via Microsoft Teams. Organizers say the session is designed to provide timely information about the biology of the pest, prevention strategies and best management practices for producers in the region.
The New World screwworm is known for its destructive larvae, which infests open wounds of warm-blooded animals. Left untreated, infestations can cause severe tissue damage and even death. Although the pest had been eradicated from the United States in the past and has now entered into Texas. Continued awareness and preparedness remain important for early detection and rapid response efforts.
“This program is intended to help producers and land managers better understand the threat and what steps to take if cases are suspected,” said Justin Hansard, from the Extension Service.
The meeting will cover several key topics, including, how the New World screwworm spreads; general livestock management practices; wildlife monitoring and surveillance considerations, participants will also have the opportunity to learn practical strategies for maintaining herd health.
How to Join the Meeting
The session will be conducted entirely online using Microsoft Teams, and participants can join in one of two ways by joining the directed link (recommended) or by copying and pasting the following link into a web browser and follow the prompts:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/275071149431328?p=mOH2bhAqSVgo3AgtMK
Join using Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 275 071 149 431 328
- Passcode: u84hq3qX
Participants may join from a computer, tablet or smartphone. No Microsoft Teams account is required; users can select the option to join through a web browser. Attendees are encouraged to log in a few minutes early to ensure their device audio and video are working properly.
More information and fact sheets, can be obtained at our Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm.
The program is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which continues to provide research-based education and outreach to agricultural communities across Texas.
COUNTY LIFE
Water supply corp. board to meet
The Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on June 23 at the office located at 607A Lindsey in Bowie.
Public comments and consent agenda open the meeting.
Discussions will include: Review of member notification of rate increase postcards and PUC letter regarding the increase; president’s report on employee unsigned contracts of employment; review of all expenses and update of scanners for meter reading, office systems and software.
An executive session is slated for a discussion of employees, followed by a return to open session for any action.
COUNTY LIFE
Montague Commissioners meet on June 22
The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on June 22.
The agenda includes: Montague County Historical Commission to receive a distinguished service award; discuss returning unused funds to the state from the county attorney, district attorney and sheriff’s office; open sealed bids for base rock and budget workshop.
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