The Sugar Association is marking more than 75 years as the scientific voice of the U.S. sugar industry. Founded by beet and cane sugar growers and refiners during World War II in 1943, the group was dedicated to the scientific study of sugar’s role in food and the communication of that role to the public during a period of war-time sugar rationing. The organization’s original mission to convey the role of sugar as a food staple to the public using accurate information could not be more relevant now.
Today, the Sugar Association continues to seek to make a difference by sharing its knowledge of sugar to increase consumer understanding and confidence in the role that sugar plays in a nutritious, balanced and enjoyable diet. The Sugar Association represents 140,000 sugarbeet and cane growers, processors and refiners in 22 states. Real sugar from sugarbeets and sugarcane plants is grown on 2 million acres across the U.S. The Sugar Association's latest video invites the public to understand the people and the processes that bring sugar from the farms to our tables.
As we close out our 75th anniversary year, never has it been more important than it is today to connect consumers to sugar – particularly sharing information on where sugar comes from and how much fits into a healthy diet. Only about a third of consumers are aware that sugar comes from plants. This is certainly of concern to the sugar industry and for agriculture in general. The Sugar Association hopes to move the needle on consumer understanding of sugar by sharing accurate information and scientific data, and answering questions that consumers may have in a transparent and responsible manner.
Learn more about the people who make up this remarkable industry and why there is more to sugar than you may realize. You can also visit Sugar.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @MoreToSugar.