The American Red Cross is supporting the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief effort financially.  Learn more about their efforts by clicking here.

ALC associates raised $4,520 for the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief efforts. A total of 143 associates participated.  American Licorice matched this contribution and has sent a check for $4,520 to the American Red Cross.

American Licorice Company Takes Poll for National Licorice Day April 12!

Answer these ten quick questions to help us learn more about those who love Red Licorice vs. those who love Black.

Licorice Personality Survey

Chandra Hansen spoke to Joaquin Almaguer in Union City about his efforts to recycle clothing and help the local community:

Q:  What made you decide to do something this ambitious? How did you get involved?

A:  I felt it was the least we can do to help the environment since the world is so big. It all started last year with our Earth Day project. It went so well with the Associates’ participation that we decided to continue with the project until we reach the goal of collecting 500,000 pounds. We plan on accomplishing this goal not only with the help from our associates, but also with the help from our entire community.

Q:  What organizations are benefitting from the clothes you are collecting?

A:  The gently used clothing is being picked up by 7^th Generation Recycling and sent to the local secondhand clothing stores, as well as third world nations. By using 7^th Generation Recycling we are able to reduce the amount of waste in our community landfills and help those who are less fortunate.

Q:  How do the associates seem to be reacting to this challenge?

A:  The Associates are responding very well to the challenge, as is the community. Since Earth Day 2010, we have been able to collect over 13,980 pounds.

Q:  When do you expect to hit the 500,000 lbs goal?

A:  I’m hoping we can reach our goal by the time I retire, in about 8 to 10 years from now.

Joaquin A, Sara T, and Jade Y collect clothing in Union City. We now have two recycling bins just for clothing!

Oh Happy Tuesday – our Facebook fans are growing!

• 12,947 monthly active users
• 33,741 people like this
• 163 wall posts or comments this week
• 1,182 visits this week

• 1,802 monthly active users
• 13,036 people like this
• 103 wall posts or comments this week
• 500 visits this week

Not a fan yet? Get engaged with us at Red Vines, Sour Punch, Natural Vines and Extinguisher pages!

Amy D and Shonna M cook for the Ronald McDonald House

From the Ronald McDonald House in Bend Oregon:

“American Licorice has been a wonderful partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Oregon (RMHC) through monetary support, product donations, and amazing volunteer support.

The support provided by American Licorice has been a crucial piece of our mission in support of children and families facing crisis.  Because American Licorice employees at all levels believe in making their community stronger, they really approach the relationship with RMHC as a true partnership.  Further, because they give time and product as well as financially, their impact is felt on many levels.  We really couldn’t make it without dedicated partners like American Licorice, and are so thankful for their ongoing support.”

Kate D rides her bike to work in Bend, Oregon

In 2008, a group of American Licorice employees met to discuss ideas on how to conduct business in a more sustainable way.  One idea was to offer employees an incentive to find alternative methods of transportation to work such as carpooling, biking, walking, or taking public transportation.   The Bend office created an incentive program and began partnering with Bend’s Commute Options organization to support alternative commuting in the community.  We helped our employees get involved by suggesting carpooling groups and providing public transportation information.  Commute Options also supports our efforts in Bend by promoting alternative commuting in their annual Commute Options week.  We rolled out the program to our plants, in Union City, California, and La Porte, Indiana, in 2009.  In 2010, we saved over 184,000 miles of single driver commuting, the equivalent (based on carbon emissions) of taking 15 cars off the road.

As well as reducing emissions and congestion through our commuting incentive program, American Licorice began supporting alternative energy through the Blue Sky program in Bend, at the suggestion of Amy D., a green enthusiast.  Through the support of energy in this program, American Licorice prevents the release of about 271,000 pounds of carbon or the equivalent of taking another 27 cars off the road!

Today was the very first American Licorice Facebook fan tour! Visitors were given a tour, T-shirts, and bags of delicious candy! Make sure you check out the post on our RedVines Facebook fan page. Here’s a glimpse of the fun and we hope to do it again soon:

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American Licorice Company wins another WRAP award for 2010! One more year and we will have a straight decade’s worth of awards – Go team!

The latest addition to the Red Vines® social media presence arrived today with the launch of the “World of  Sharing” campaign,  an interactive contest designed to spread positive messages around the planet. Every  person who leaves a positive message on the website will help to grow a giant chain of Red Vines® Licorice  that will circle the globe beginning and ending at the Red Vines candy factory near San Francisco, CA.  Every  message is also automatically entered to win weekly prizes as well as the grand prize of a $5,000 voucher good for a trip around the world.
Designed in conjunction with creative partner Dentsu America Inc., the Red Vines World of Sharing uses an innovative mash-up of Google Maps that allows visitors to hover over the planet and zoom down over the locations that the Vine is crossing as it circles the globe. Highly integrated with Twitter and Facebook, the site enables users to easily log in using their email or Facebook Connect and leave whatever short positive message comes to mind. As the Vine goes around the world, it will award users 240 4 lb. jars of Red Vines Licorice, 24 Prize packs with Red Vines Candy and Gear, and one grand prize.

“The World of Sharing is all about exchanging positive messages to set off a chain reaction of good will and happiness around the planet,” said Michael Kelly, Consumer Communications Manager at American Licorice Company.  ”We’re having so much fun with our friends on Facebook and Twitter that we wanted to give something back with this once in the lifetime opportunity to get out and see the entire world on us.”

For consumers who are more health-conscious and looking for products that don’t contain artificial ingredients, today we’re happy to announce the debut of the Natural Vines® http://www.naturalvineslicorice.com, our new line of premium gourmet licorice.  Made with only natural flavors and colors from natural sources, and sweetened with molasses and pure cane sugar, Natural Vines® contain no trans or saturated fats, no high fructose corn syrup or preservatives, zero cholesterol, and are very low in sodium.

More than ever, consumers are reading package labels and scrutinizing the ingredients in the food they’re buying for themselves and their families. We make Natural Vines® with pure, simple, and wholesome ingredients to provide a healthier alternative for consumer looking for something sweet.

The two flavors, Black and Strawberry, contain natural licorice extract and are made from a unique cooking process that delivers a soft, chewy texture and a deep, rich flavor.  The bite-sized twists have less than 17 calories each, and come in a convenient resealable bag that keeps in freshness and flavor and allows for easy portion control.  Natural Vines® are arriving in select grocery stores and specialty markets throughout the United States in the summer of 2010, and are also be available online at www.candycabinet.com.  You can expect to pay around $3.49 for an 8 oz. bag.

The bottom line is that Natural Vines® are a satisfying sweet that consumers can feel good about indulging in. Licorice connoisseurs have told us they enjoy their distinctive flavor and texture, kids love them because they taste great and are fun to eat, and they’re an excellent choice for consumers seeking out an all natural treat.

Have you tried Natural Vines® yet?  Let us know what you think in the comments.