The Candle & Honey Report
October
candle winner: waltmanappraiser@comcast.net |
October,
2004 Vol 4, No. 9 |
THE NATIONAL CANDLE ASSOCIATION
The National Candle Association (NCA) is the major trade association of U.S.
candle manufacturers and suppliers, and serves as the collective voice of the
candle industry.Started in 1974 with 26 candle manufacturing firms, NCA today includes more than 160 member companies, and accounts for 90 percent of all candles manufactured in the United States.
The National Candle Association and its members are dedicated to:
*ensuring the manufacture of quality candles and candle products;
*promoting the safe use and enjoyment of candles;
*encouraging innovation in candle technology;
*advancing the industry’s strength and leadership.Commitment to Product Quality
At the heart of all NCA activities is a commitment to producing the finest candle products possible. Unlike many other trade associations, NCA calls for its members to share non-proprietary technical information to encourage the production of quality candles incorporating the latest advances and innovations.
To this end, NCA’s technical committee continually reviews new developments or issues that may impact the formulation, manufacturing, testing or performance of candles. The Association also conducts a two-day technical meeting every spring to foster the exchange of new ideas, and the delivery of technical presentations by members and outside experts.NCA willingly shares much of its technical expertise and information with non-members and others in the hopes of improving all candlemaking, and to promote the safe and proper use of candles.
For example, NCA members voluntarily agreed more than 25 years ago to stop using lead wicks and to encourage all candlemakers to do the same. In 2000, NCA went further and asked all U.S. candle manufacturers to join its members in signing a formal pledge not to use lead wicks. Since then, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has proposed banning lead candlewicks from the American marketplace, a move strongly supported by NCA.
Similarly, NCA has lent its technical leadership to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to form a subcommittee to develop consensus safety standards for candles and candle products. To date, standards have been developed for safe-use labeling, the heat resistance of glass containers, and fire safety measures. The subcommittee continues to work on developing additional standards to further ensure the quality and consistent performance of candles.
The Industry’s Voice
NCA carefully monitors and quickly responds to actions that might adversely affect its members or threaten the health and vigor of the U.S. candle industry.
International trade activities and issues are of keen importance. In 1985, when the U.S. candle industry was threatened with a flood of inexpensive imports from the People’s Republic of China, NCA hired trade experts and filed an anti-dumping petition with the International Trade Commission. That action led to an order directing the U.S. Customs Service to assess an anti-dumping duty on petroleum wax candles from China to restore a fair and reasonable competitive balance. NCA continues to carefully follow trade and import issues affecting candle sales and manufacturing quality.NCA also acts as the industry’s spokesperson before various governmental, consumer and standards bodies, offering its technical expertise and knowledge to address manufacturing and safety issues involving candles, candle accessories and related products. In addition, the Association serves as an informal resource center for its membership, and as the industry’s liaison with other national organizations having similar or related interests.
Serving the Consumer
In response to the growing popularity of candles, NCA has increased its efforts to furnish consumers with both practical information and creative ideas regarding candles and their proper use. This includes helpful tips on candle care and storage, appropriate burning techniques, and information on new products and market trends, as well as stylish ideas for incorporating candles into today’s lifestyles, homes and special occasions. An overriding theme to all of NCA’s consumer information efforts is the importance of following fire safety
precautions and proper burning procedures when using candles.In-depth information about all aspects of candles can be found on NCA’s web site
at www.candles.org.
National Candle Association (NCA)
Web Site:http://www.candles.org/
October at the Honey Farm
In early October we continue taking honey off and keep the vineyard open at the same time. Usually during the week I will visit a honeybee yard and take about 3/4 of the crop off. This honey is returned to the farm and extracted, then it either goes to our bulk tank at our sales stand (where YOU purchase it from) or to our bottling tank in our honey house to go to roadside stands.
Our Honey Farm is closed for the season. We wish to thank all of the customers that visited us this year.
In October and November the rest of the crop is harvested and stored in barrels. The picture shows frames of honey going into our extractor.
Click here for more extracting pictures.
And interview with Jaroslav Lstiburek and Marta Lstiburkova.
Paul and Lynn Morrison pulled a surprise on their friends Jaroslav Lstiburek and his wife Marta Lstiburkova. They were visiting from the Czech Republic and were told some story about going "skydiving." When they showed up at our farm and were told that they were visitng a fellow beekeeper they were probably quite relieved.
Jaroslav is a brewmaster back home. He is also a beekeeper with 7 colonies in a village of about 40 families (200 people). There are 5 beekeepers in their village. We showed them our honey and candle making operation.
I told them that beekeeping is a great full time or part time occupation for anyone. You can be as small as you want or just keep on getting more colonies untill you are the size you like. You do not have to get large machinery like other farmers - just a bunch of bees and (in my case) a truck and trailer.
They hope to increase their income with beekeeping and possibly add candlemaking to their future.
They can be reached at:
jaroslav.lstiburek@drinksunion.cz
CHOCOLATE BURRS
Whoops! Look at the time! And the meeting starts at 7:30. Many local associations serve refreshments at an evening meeting - nothing fancy but some nice things for nibbles or sweets to go with the coffee. Time is short and it is your turn to bring the goodies. What to fix? It has to be something with honey or it wouldn't be appropriate. Let's see what we can do.CHOCOLATE BURRS
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
3 tablespoons honey (use a light and mild variety)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Few grains salt
3 cups corn flakesCombine all ingredients except corn flakes in a saucepan, heat until melted and blend thoroughly. Then stir in' corn flakes. Drop from a teaspoon onto waxed paper and let cool.
A Honey Cookbook A. I. Root Company
Note: Honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for children and adults. More details ....
Do you have a great honey recipe - please send it to us and we will put it in our newsletter.
From our readers
This is a section for comments/questions/recipes from our readers. Please read the comments & feel free to put your 2 cents worth in.
Visit the Readers Comments page to view all the content of these messages. Here are samples of this months e-mails:
Grape jelly, •• Shipping Grapes, •• Grape questions, •• Organic Grapes, •• Delaware, •• Wine supplies, •• No Vidal grapes, •• Juice questions, •• Wine using brown sugar, •• Nice website - see you soon!
Candle W*nner & Laugh of the MonthCongratulations!
October candle winner: waltmanappraiser@comcast.net
Will this months w*nner,
waltmanappraiser@comcast.net
please contact us and so that I can ship your candles.Our list of previous candle w*nners.
Click below for something silly to end this newsletter with.
Laugh of the month: The System is Down
See You Next Month!
Last Months Newsletter - September, 2004 |
Honeyflow
Farm
4939 Mill Rd. PO Box 275
Dryden, Michigan 48428
(810) 796-2344 (Phone & Fax)
Comments or questions concerning Honeyflow
Farm
should be addressed by clicking on the link: