Final answer:
The provided information does not give the specific number of food companies Sugars and Sweets Candy Company has contracts with. It discusses the economic challenges in the candy industry, such as job losses and high sugar costs affecting both US consumers and low-income country sugar producers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding how many food companies the Sugars and Sweets Candy Company has contracts with cannot be answered with the provided information. The details discussed highlight the larger economic and production challenges facing the candy industry, including job losses and sugar cost-related issues. However, these challenges do not provide the specific data needed to quantify the number of contracts held by Sugars and Sweets Candy Company.
From 1997 to 2011, sugar-using industries have faced significant job reductions, with over 127,000 jobs eliminated, due to high sugar prices and market pressures. Additionally, sugar producers in low-income countries have been adversely affected by U.S. sugar subsidies and import quotas. These factors contribute to a broader economic discussion surrounding the candy industry, particularly regarding the impact of sugar costs on both domestic and international markets.