Halloween is a time for spooky stories, dressing up, and pumpkins, but most kids would probably agree that the main event is going trick-or-treating for candy. It’s an excuse for adults to indulge too, whether it’s from the office candy bowl, an impulse buy from the Halloween candy display because it was “on sale”, or maybe even a quick pilfer from the kids’ haul.
Franco Deritis is one of the people who helps make all that candy. A member of UFCW Local 1776, Franco works at the Hershey factory in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. For over three years, he’s been a part of the creation process behind various Cadbury, Caramello and Kit Kat products at Hershey. Currently a maintenance trainee, Franco has also worked at the factory as a molding operator and packer.
The production process for the candy that begins lining the shelves for Halloween before October even arrives, starts months in advance. “It’s a great feeling knowing that all of the summer hours we put in pay off when the kids get excited,” says Franco.
As the chief steward at his workplace, Franco also values being part of the UFCW family. “Our plant is different because it’s union,” he says.