Skinny Sticks maple syrup is a popular brand of maple syrup produced in the United States and Canada. Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees, which is boiled down to create a sweet, thick syrup. Skinny Sticks maple syrup has a distinctive flavor and is a refrigerator staple in many households across North America. But where exactly is this iconic maple syrup made?
Overview of maple syrup production
Maple syrup production is concentrated in northeastern North America, where sugar maple trees grow. The range stretches from southeastern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick) down into the northeastern United States (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin). This is known as the “maple belt” region.
The process starts in late winter/early spring when maple sap starts flowing from taps inserted into maple trees. The clear sap is collected and boiled to evaporate water and concentrate the sugar content. It takes 40 gallons of maple sap to produce 1 gallon of maple syrup. The syrup is filtered and graded based on color and flavor.
Maple syrup production is a traditional practice in northeastern North America, with some families producing syrup for generations. It’s a seasonal industry, with strict guidelines and regulations to ensure quality syrup.
History of Skinny Sticks
Skinny Sticks maple syrup was founded in 1976 in Vermont. The company says its name refers to the skinny maple saplings used by early maple syrup producers. Skinny Sticks aims to evoke the nostalgia of traditional maple sugaring operations.
The brand was started by a maple farming family in Vermont who were early pioneers in maple syrup production. They wanted to share their premium syrup outside of Vermont and created the Skinny Sticks brand.
Over the past 40+ years, Skinny Sticks has grown from a small local Vermont brand into a nationally-distributed maple syrup. It is now one of the most recognizable maple syrup labels in grocery stores across the United States.
Where is Skinny Sticks maple syrup produced today?
Skinny Sticks maple syrup has production facilities located in two states:
Vermont
Vermont is the largest maple syrup producing state in the United States. Given Skinny Sticks’ origins in Vermont, it is not surprising that they continue to produce syrup there.
The company’s main production facility and headquarters are located in St. Albans, VT. This rural town is in the northwestern part of Vermont, around 60 miles south of the Canadian border.
St. Albans is situated in the heart of Vermont’s “maple belt.” The surrounding countryside is dotted with maple sugar woods, making it an ideal location. Skinny Sticks sources sap from local maple farms in Franklin County.
The St. Albans plant is where Skinny Sticks produces its organic maple syrup line. The company prides itself on sustainable tapping practices and protecting the maple forests.
New York
Skinny Sticks also operates a production facility in Malone, NY. This town is in upstate New York, only about 20 miles south of the Canadian border.
The region around Malone, NY is another prime maple syrup area, with maple forests stretching across the countryside. Skinny Sticks sources sap from New York maple farms near Malone to produce its conventional (non-organic) maple syrup.
The Malone plant allows Skinny Sticks to boost production and expand its maple syrup distribution nationwide. The company can process New York maple sap while also maintaining its Vermont roots.
Importance of origin
For Skinny Sticks, keeping production in northeastern North America is vital. Consumers expect authentic, high-quality maple syrup to come from the heart of maple country.
Using locally sourced sap allows Skinny Sticks to closely monitor maple forests and sustainable tapping practices. It also allows for better relationships with local maple farmers.
By maintaining facilities in Vermont and New York, Skinny Sticks can leverage generations of maple making expertise. The roots sink deep in America’s maple belt region.
How much syrup is produced?
As one of the leading national maple syrup brands, Skinny Sticks produces a large volume of syrup each year. However, exact production quantities are confidential proprietary information.
We can estimate Skinny Sticks’ production based on its scope:
– Operates two production facilities in Vermont and New York
– Supplies grocery stores and supermarkets across all 50 states
– Offers multiple product lines (organic, conventional, flavored syrups, etc)
– Retails products in sizes ranging from 237mL (8oz) bottles to 3.79L (1 gallon) jugs
Given this wide distribution, it is likely Skinny Sticks may produce hundreds of thousands of gallons of maple syrup annually. For a rough comparison, a top Vermont maple syrup company with a similar retail presence makes around 200,000 gallons per year.
As the fastest growing maple brand in the US, Skinny Sticks is positioned to continue expanding production. Investments in new technology and production lines allow Skinny Sticks to improve efficiency and meet demand across America.
Growth of maple syrup industry
Maple syrup production has been steadily rising over the past decade. In 2021, US maple syrup output hit a new record of 5.38 million gallons according to the USDA. This was a 30% increase over 2020.
Canada also saw record syrup production in 2021 at 22.9 million pounds according to Statistics Canada. Favorable weather and the growing popularity of maple syrup are driving the growth.
As one of the leading brands, Skinny Sticks is well-positioned to capitalize on America’s thirst for delicious maple syrup. The company will likely continue ramping up production in step with overall industry trends.
How is Skinny Sticks syrup packaged?
Skinny Sticks uses state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to package its maple syrup products:
Bottling
Maple syrup is bottled at the St. Albans, VT and Malone, NY plants. Bottling lines fill various retail bottle sizes ranging from 237mL (8oz) up to 1L (34oz).
The most common retail bottle sizes are:
- 237mL (8 fl oz)
- 355mL (12 fl oz)
- 473mL (16 fl oz)
- 500mL (17 fl oz)
- 750mL (25 fl oz)
- 1L (34 fl oz)
– Bottles have spill-proof caps and are labeled for retail sale. A batch coding system tracks production date and location.
Can filling
For foodservice customers, Skinny Sticks maple syrup is packaged in metal cans such as:
– 680g (24oz) cans
– 5L (1.3 gal) cans
Cans allow efficient use in restaurants and cafeterias. The metal cans are sturdy, reusable and stackable.
Jugs
For grocery store and warehouse club sales, Skinny Sticks uses plastic jugs containing multiple pounds of syrup. Common sizes are:
– 1.89L (64 fl oz)
– 3.79L (128 fl oz)
The jug packaging has a built-in handle and pour spout to make it easy to use. Jugs are also resealable to help preserve freshness.
Barrels
Skinny Sticks provides maple syrup in large barrels for the food processing industry. Common barrel sizes are:
– 20L (5.3 gal)
– 45L (12 gal)
– 190L (50 gal)
Barrels allow efficient bulk transport and storage. They are reusable and returnable assets.
Where can you buy Skinny Sticks syrup?
Here are the major retail channels where Skinny Sticks maple syrup is sold:
Grocery stores
Skinny Sticks is carried by major grocery store chains across all 50 states. This includes regional chains like Stop & Shop, Giant, Hannaford, and more. National chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Albertsons, and Winn-Dixie also carry it.
Consumers can find Skinny Sticks maple syrup in the pancake or syrups aisle at most major grocery retailers.
Warehouse clubs
Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s sell jugs of Skinny Sticks maple syrup. The 3.79L (128oz) jug is a popular item. Warehouse clubs help drive high volume sales.
Specialty retailers
Natural food chains like Whole Foods and Sprouts stock Skinny Sticks as a natural, organic syrup option. It is also found at specialty stores like Fresh Thyme.
Online
For added convenience, Skinny Sticks sells its maple syrup directly to consumers through its website and Amazon. This allows online ordering of individual bottles or cases shipped to your doorstep.
Foodservice
Restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other foodservice operators can purchase Skinny Sticks maple syrup through foodservice distributors. Leading distributors like US Foods, Sysco, and Gordon Food Service carry the brand.
How much does Skinny Sticks syrup cost?
As a premium maple syrup brand, Skinny Sticks prices are in line with other high-quality syrups:
Grocery retail prices
Here are typical retail prices for different sizes of Skinny Sticks at grocery stores:
– 237mL (8 fl oz): $8-$12
– 355mL (12 fl oz): $12-$16
– 500mL (17 fl oz): $15-$20
– 750mL (25 fl oz): $20-$25
– 1L (34 fl oz): $25-$30
– 1.89L (64 fl oz): $40-$50
– 3.79L (128 fl oz): $60-$75
Organic options may cost $2-$5 more than conventional. Limited edition flavors are priced at a premium.
Warehouse club prices
Warehouse clubs like Costco offer lower prices on high-volume units:
– 3.79L (128 fl oz) jug: $50-$60
Foodservice prices
For commercial foodservice in bulk:
– 680g can: $6-$8 per can
– 5L can: $50-$60 per can
– 20L barrel: $150-$200 each
– 190L barrel: $1200-$1500 each
Pricing varies based on volume discounts.
Comparing syrup grades
Skinny Sticks is available in different maple syrup grades. The grade affects pricing:
– Grade A Light Amber: $2-$3 less than Dark Amber
– Grade A Dark Amber (most popular): Mid-range pricing
– Grade A Very Dark: $2-$3 higher than Dark Amber
– Grade B: $2-$5 higher than Grade A
– Organic: $2-$5 premium over conventional
The deeper, darker syrup grades cost more due to their robust maple flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Skinny Sticks maple syrup contains no fat and is an all-natural source of minerals like calcium and potassium.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 30mL (1 fl oz) serving:
| Nutrition Facts | 30mL (1 fl oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% DV |
| Sodium 10mg | 0% DV |
| Potassium 90mg | 2% DV |
| Total Carb 26g | 9% DV |
| Calcium 40mg | 2% DV |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Maple syrup provides some minerals but is high in natural sugar. It should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The lower glycemic index of pure maple syrup makes it a better choice than many processed sweeteners.
How to store Skinny Sticks maple syrup
To retain the best flavor and consistency, proper storage of maple syrup is important:
Unopened maple syrup
Unopened Skinny Sticks maple syrup will keep 12 months from the production date. Store unopened bottles and jugs in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Avoid heat sources and direct sunlight, which can damage flavor. Refrigeration is not needed for unopened maple syrup.
Opened maple syrup
After opening, maple syrup is best stored in the refrigerator to prevent mold growth and preserve quality. Transfer to a clean airtight container if needed. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 year. If crystallization occurs, simply place opened syrup in warm water to liquefy.
Freezing
For long term storage, Skinny Sticks maple syrup can be frozen. Freeze it in the original container or pour into freezable containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace. Frozen maple syrup keeps 24 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
Canning
Opened maple syrup can also be hot packed in mason jars for shelf-stable storage similar to canning. This heating helps prevent mold growth. Store canned syrup up to 18 months. Refrigerate after opening.
Signs of spoilage
Discard maple syrup if any mold, fermentation bubbles, or off odors develop. Crystallization is not a sign of spoilage. Look for the production date code on the container to ensure freshness.
Conclusion
Skinny Sticks is proud to produce authentic maple syrup in the heart of maple country. Its roots in Vermont and New York represent generations of maple sugaring tradition. While exact production quantities are confidential, Skinny Sticks likely makes hundreds of thousands of gallons each year to supply grocery and warehouse stores across America.
Consumers appreciate the sustainably sourced, premium quality maple syrup. Skinny Sticks organic and conventional grades appeal to a wide range of customers. Proper refrigerated storage after opening will keep the maple syrup tasting great. Straight from the maple trees of the northeast, Skinny Sticks is the delicious, quintessential maple syrup Americans love to drizzle on pancakes and waffles or use in recipes.
