16-03-2025
Pennsylvania could soon have an official state candy — thanks to a group of students
(WTAJ) — Pennsylvania has a state bird, state tree, state song and soon — thanks to some students — it could have an official state candy.
Joining official state icons such as the Ruffed Grouse (state bird), Eastern hemlock (state tree) and 'Pennsylvania' (state song) would be the Hershey Kiss as the official candy of Pennsylvania.
Lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that would name the iconic flat-bottom teardrop-shaped chocolate as our official candy. The bill will be introduced by Senators Frank Farry (R-Bucks County), Patty Kim (D-Dauphin County) and Steven J. Santarsiero (D-Bucks County).
In the memorandum, Farry said the bill was drafted by dedicated students in Buck County and he's proud to introduce the legislation. If passed and signed into law, Pennsylvania would become the first in the nation to have a state candy.
'Pennsylvania is home to a wealth of candies and treats that we all enjoy, and everyone has their personal favorite,' Farry wrote. 'After researching and considering various options, the students selected Hershey's Kisses because of the iconic shape recognizable around the world and uniquely associated with Pennsylvania. The students chose a candy that represents many industries and values important to Pennsylvania's past, present, and future, including agriculture, manufacturing, steel and aluminum, innovative entrepreneurship, commerce, community and economic development, and philanthropy.'
Farry added he's proud to partner with colleagues from across the aisle and all around the Commonwealth to make this happen.
When Milton Hershey began building his chocolate empire, he had a factory, buildings, and homes for workers before he even had a chocolate recipe, according to History Channel's 'The Food That Built America.' Hershey, however, was undeterred and has become one of the biggest chocolate makers in the of the world, Pennsylvania can also tout that more potato chips come from the commonwealth than anywhere else in the world.
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