PUBLIX MARKETS SUGARLESS CANDY IN PHARMACY

RICHARD TURCSIK

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets here is marketing sugarless candy at the pharmacy counter.

According to the manufacturer of Golden Farm Candies, the chain is offering diabetic shoppers a free sample of its sugarless candy when they pick up their prescription at the pharmacy counter.

The chain is distributing small, clear bags of the candy that contains about three pieces and has a strip at the top listing the store name and pharmacy department phone number.

Officials at Publix could not be reached for comment, but Gloria Stickley, sales manager at South Bend, Ind.-based Golden Farm Candies by Fudge Farms, said Publix has been stocking the Golden Farm line since February. Golden Farm makes the sample bags for Publix and other chains, including Wal-Mart, Drug Mart, Good Neighbor Pharmacies, Walgreens and Med-X.

Golden Farm offers 22 bagged items, nine candy bars and 15 boxed items in its lineup. The samples consists of hard candies, chews and caramels or whatever combination the retail customer requests.

"The benefit [the sampling program] has brought us is that we're giving a service to the pharmacy. The nice thing on the consumer's side is that they go to a drug store and buy a prescription and the pharmacist gives them back something at no charge," Stickley said.

The samples are handed out by the store pharmacist or over-the-counter manager when a customer picks up an insulin prescription or other sugar-related medication.