Company Directory - National Confectioners Association (NCA)
Company Details - National Confectioners Association (NCA)
National Confectioners Association (NCA)
WebsiteThe National Confectioners Association (NCA) is a prominent trade association that represents the U.S. confectionery industry. It focuses on advocating for industry standards, promoting the benefits of confectionery products, and ensuring food safety within the industry.
CCI Score
CCI Score: National Confectioners Association (NCA)
1.83
Latest Event
Pat Egan Named 2025 Advocate of the Year by NCA
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) recognized Pat Egan, CEO of See’s Candies, as the 2025 Advocate of the Year for his proactive political engagement and effective collaboration with local unions during key policy debates, such as the U.S. sugar program reform. The award, presented at NCA’s 2025 State of the Industry Conference, underscores his role in advancing both industry interests and labor cooperation.
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OBJECTOR
National Confectioners Association (NCA) is currently rated as an Objector.
Latest Events
- MAR022025
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) recognized Pat Egan, CEO of See’s Candies, as the 2025 Advocate of the Year for his proactive political engagement and effective collaboration with local unions during key policy debates, such as the U.S. sugar program reform. The award, presented at NCA’s 2025 State of the Industry Conference, underscores his role in advancing both industry interests and labor cooperation.
+80
Executive Political Engagement
April 9
Pat Egan’s extensive experience and active engagement in policy debates, building coalitions, and working with elected officials demonstrate strong executive political engagement. His leadership, recognized by NCA through the award, highlights a proactive stance in advocating for democratic processes and industry accountability.
See’s Candies’ Pat Egan named NCA’s 2025 Advocate of the Year
+70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 9
Egan’s initiative to work with three separate local California unions in support of U.S. sugar program reform illustrates a commitment to enhancing labor relations and ensuring worker representation. This collaborative approach is a positive example of how industry leaders can advance fair labor practices while advocating for policy reform.
See’s Candies’ Pat Egan named NCA’s 2025 Advocate of the Year
- DEC312024
In 2024, the National Confectioners Association spent $745,000 on lobbying activities, as reported by OpenSecrets. This significant expenditure reflects the organization’s active engagement in influencing federal policymaking on behalf of the U.S. confectionery industry.
-50
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The reported lobbying expenditure of $745,000 in 2024 underscores the organization’s effort to influence policy in favor of industry interests. Such significant political spending can contribute to regulatory capture and undermine democratic accountability, warranting a negative score from an anti-fascist perspective.
- DEC062024
The National Confectioners Association’s top executives, including President & CEO John Downs, Senior VP of Public Policy Brian McKeon, and VP of Government Affairs Dan Shorts, were named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists 2024, highlighting their significant role in political advocacy.
-30
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
Being named among top lobbyists indicates that NCA is actively engaged in influencing legislation and public policy in favor of confectionery industry interests, which can undermine public accountability and democratic responsiveness.
-30
Executive Political Engagement
April 9
The involvement of NCA's top executives in lobbying efforts underscores the association's commitment to a strategy of direct political engagement, which can serve to prioritize corporate interests over broader democratic accountability.
- NOV052024
The National Confectioners Association's PAC contributed $475,000 to federal candidates during the 2023-2024 election cycle, a move that underscores the trade association's involvement in political financing which may further corporate influence over policy-making.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The contribution of $475,000 by the NCA's PAC is a clear instance of corporate political financing. Such actions can facilitate undue influence on federal politics, complicating the democratic process and potentially aligning policies with corporate interests over public interest, a concern from an anti-fascist perspective.
National Confectioners Assn PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates
- JUL232024
The National Confectioners Association hired NVG to lobby for changes to the sugar program in the farm bill. The reform aims to dismantle policies that maintain a minimum sugar price and restrict imports, benefiting a few wealthy sugar producers at the expense of broader consumer and business interests.
+50
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The NCA's decision to hire a lobby firm to push for sugar policy reform is evaluated positively from an anti-authoritarian perspective. By challenging a sugar program that protects an elite few at the expense of the broader public and smaller businesses, this action supports efforts to reduce concentrated corporate power and promote fairer market conditions.
Bottom Line: Confectioners lobby up for sugar program showdown
- JAN012023
The National Confectioners Association spent $150,000 on lobbying activities in 2023, as reported by OpenSecrets, highlighting its active role in influencing policy decisions.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The association's reported $150,000 expenditure on lobbying in 2023 demonstrates its engagement in political influence, a tactic that raises concerns regarding corporate interference in democratic processes. From an anti-fascist and progressive perspective, such lobbying efforts contribute to regulatory capture and the undermining of public accountability.
- APR012022
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) released policy principles urging the adoption of a mandatory due diligence framework in the United States. This framework is designed to improve transparency in the cocoa supply chain by addressing deforestation risks and supporting sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and cocoa farmers.
+60
Executive Political Engagement
April 9
NCA's CEO publicly advocated for a harmonized due diligence framework, demonstrating proactive political engagement. This move seeks to influence regulatory processes and promote policies that safeguard environmental resources and support sustainable agricultural practices, reflecting a positive stance against centralized authoritarian control over natural resources.
Confectionery Companies Release Forest Conservation and Cocoa Supply Chain Framework
+80
Supply Chain Ethics
April 9
The initiative to implement a mandatory due diligence framework directly targets improvements in supply chain ethics by enhancing transparency and accountability. This positive reform is aimed at curbing deforestation in cocoa production and ensuring that ethical practices are maintained within the confectionery industry, thereby supporting environmental justice and the welfare of cocoa farmers.
Confectionery Companies Release Forest Conservation and Cocoa Supply Chain Framework
- MAY012020
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) published a policy advocacy statement on its website outlining support for bipartisan reform of the U.S. sugar program—criticizing the artificial price supports that, while preserving sugar-processing jobs, result in a net loss of manufacturing jobs. Additionally, the statement includes a commitment to work with stakeholders on developing transparent supply chains aimed at restoring forests in key cocoa-producing regions. This dual-pronged policy signal emphasizes fair market practices and improved sustainability measures.
+20
Public and Political Behavior
April 9
NCA’s advocacy for reforming the U.S. sugar program reflects engagement in public and political discourse by challenging economically distorting government policies. Their call for a bipartisan solution underscores an effort to promote fairness and transparency in public policy, which aligns with anti-authoritarian principles by seeking to correct imbalances in job creation.
+15
Supply Chain Ethics
April 9
The advocacy page also emphasizes a commitment to developing transparent supply chains and restoring forests in cocoa-producing regions. This focus on ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability supports broader social responsibility goals that oppose exploitative practices.
- MAY012020
The National Confectioners Association has published a policy advocacy page outlining a bipartisan solution to reform the U.S. sugar program. The proposal highlights the negative impact of current price supports and quotas on American manufacturing jobs and calls for reform to promote a fairer market environment.
+30
Public and Political Behavior
April 9
By advocating for a bipartisan solution to reform the inefficient U.S. sugar program, the NCA is engaging in proactive public policy debate. This effort to correct market distortions and protect manufacturing jobs reflects a commitment to economic fairness and accountability, aligning with anti-authoritarian values.
- JAN012020
OpenSecrets data shows that the National Confectioners Association raised $647,487 during the 2019-2020 election cycle, reflecting its active role in political fundraising and contributions that can shape policy outcomes.
-20
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The reported PAC fundraising of $647,487 highlights the NCA's involvement in political contributions. From an anti-fascist perspective, such activity can amplify corporate influence over policymaking, potentially favoring industry interests over democratic accountability. This political influence, while a common trade association practice, poses risks if used to support authoritarian-friendly policies.
- NOV102016
In 2016, the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and its employees spent $208,516 in political contributions and invested $166,000 in lobbying activities, including a $6,000 support to Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte through its own PACs.
-50
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The NCA’s combined spending on political contributions and lobbying, including directing funds to support a Republican senator, indicates an engagement with political processes that can be seen as aligning with conservative and potentially authoritarian interests. This involvement raises concerns from an anti-fascist perspective regarding the support of political actors who may perpetuate policies undermining inclusive and progressive governance.
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Industries
- 311340
- Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing
- 424490
- Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers
- 311320
- Candy and Other Confectionery Manufacturing