Straight Facts About Valentines Day Provided by the US Department of Commerce

Valentine’s Day 2013: Feb. 14

Expressing one’s love to another is a celebrated custom on Valentine’s Day; whereby sweethearts and family members present gifts to one another, such as cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of affection. Opinions differ as to who was the original Valentine, but the most popular theory is that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day. Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit continues today with even young children exchanging valentine’s cards with their fellow classmates.

Candy

1,155

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2010, employing 35,074 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 121, followed by Pennsylvania, with 114.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2010, NAICS code (31132) and (31133),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

409

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2010. These establishments employed 17,526 people. California led the nation in this category, with 49 establishments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2010, NAICS code (31134)
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

$13.5 billion

Total value of shipments in 2011 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures, Products and Service Codes 311320 and 311330,
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ASM_2011_31VS101&prodType=table>

Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was an $8.8 billion industry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures, Products and Service Code 311340,
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ASM_2011_31VS101&prodType=table>

3,365

Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (445292),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

24.7 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Industrial Reports, Confectionery: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/cir/historical_data/ma311d/index.html>

Flowers

16,182

The total number of florists’ establishments nationwide in 2010. These businesses employed 70,575 people.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (4531)
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

$880,893,904

The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2011. Flower bouquets are a popular gift for loved ones on Valentine’s Day. The total value of fresh cut roses in 2011 was $365,453,189.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Foreign Trade Division USA Trade Online U.S. Import and Export Merchandise trade (Commodity code-060319)
<https://www.usatradeonline.gov/>

Jewelry

23,739

Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2010. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2012, these stores sold $2.66 billion in merchandise.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (448310),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/> and Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services <http://www.census.gov/retail>

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s 1,453 jewelry manufacturing establishments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (339911),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

“Please Be Mine”

28.6 and 26.6 years

Median age at first marriage in 2012 for men and women, respectively.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2012,
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/marital.html>, Table MS-2

53%

The overall percentage of adults who reported being married.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2012,
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html> Table A1

68.8%

Percentage of people 15 and older in 2012 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2012,
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html> Table A1

38.3

The provisional rate of marriages per 1,000 people performed in Nevada during 2010. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked number one nationally in marriage rates. Hawaii ranked second with a marriage rate of 17.6.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics,
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/marriage_rates_90_95_99-10.pdf>

2.1 million

The provisional number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2010. That breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics,
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/marriage_divorce_tables.htm>

74.5%

The percentage of women who married for the first time between 1990 and 1994, who marked their 10th anniversary. This compares with 83 percent of women who married for the first time between 1960 and 1964.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009,
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 4

6.2%

As of 2009, the percentage of currently married women who had been married for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married women had been married for at least 15 years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 9

Looking for Love

393

The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ECN/2007_US/00A1//naics~8129902>

Try Looking Here . . .

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine’s Day:

Rose City, Texas	Rose City, Mich.	South Heart, N.D.
Loveland, Colo.	Darling, Minn.	Loveland, Ohio
Romeo, Colo.	Sacred Heart, Minn.	Loveland Park, Ohio
Lovejoy, Ga.	Heart Butte, Mont.	Love County, Okla.
Loves Park, Ill.	Valentine, Neb.	Loveland, Okla.
Lovington, Ill.	Lovelock, Nev.	Lovelady, Texas
Romeoville, Ill.	Loving, N.M.	Loving County, Texas
Rosemont, Ill.	Lovington, N.M.	Valentine, Texas
Romeo, Mich.	Love Valley, N.C.	Rose Hill Acres, Texas
Rosemont, Md.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder
<http://factfinder2.census.gov>

Giving Love a Second Chance

19.5%

Percentage of people ever married twice as of 2011. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison, 75.3 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip down the aisle.
Source: 2011 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B12505&prodType=table>

8

Median length, in years, of first marriages that ended in divorce.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 8

3.8 and 3.7

The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage for men and women, respectively. However, the two medians are not significantly different from each other.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 8

9% and 7.9%

Among people 15 and older in 2009, the percentage of men and women, respectively, who had married twice and were still married.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>

Kona Rangpur Limes Featured at Valentine Culinary Demo

Taste test Kona Rangpur limes and learn how to use them at a free demonstration 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at Island Naturals Market and Deli. Chef Devin Lowder of Makalii Catering and When Pigs Fly Island Charcuterie will show how to use the fruit and offer samples of flourless chocolate cake with a Kona lime glaze. Ken Love, president of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG), will be on hand to answer horticulture questions.

Kona Rangpur Lime

The fruity fun is presented by the statewide HTFG, whose members are growing ultra-exotic tropical fruits. These not-so-well-known edibles—like figs, Surinam cherry, jackfruit, ulu, abiu, durian, white sapote, soursop and jaboticaba—are among a growing number of odd fruits that are intriguing island chefs and shoppers.

“Kona Rangpur lime is known by a number of names and is a naturally occurring hybrid between lemon and mandarin orange,” says Love. “The small, whole fruit can be candied or pickled but the Rangpur is known for making delicious marmalade.” He adds that Rangpur lime tends to have a “very puffy skin and thorny branches,” but the Kona variety has evolved to a tighter skin and the tree has fewer thorns. The lime is popular for its orange-colored fruit and is native to Northwest India.

Like other limes and citrus fruits, Rangpur lime contains healthy amounts of Vitamin C. Limonene in the zest can increase the level of liver enzymes that fight cancer-causing chemicals.

HTFG is working to build markets for these juicy rarities through a series of free public taste tests and culinary demonstrations at stores on four Hawaiian Islands. Participating stores stock the fruit in their produce sections, accompanied by recipes and additional fruit information to take home.

“At Island Naturals, we strive to continually increase our local food offerings,” says Russell Ruderman, president and founder of Island Naturals and Puna District state senator.  “We work with farmers and food producers to develop new offerings, and support new local products with our best prices, signage, shelf placement and demos. Local food keeps money in our local economy, supports agriculture in Hawaii, reduces the carbon footprint, and moves us toward a sustainable society. It also supports your friends and neighbors, and puts healthier food on your table.”

Titled “New Markets for Ultra-Exotic Fruits,” the event series is funded by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture through a USDA competitive grant program to foster small farm sustainability.

For more information, contact Love at ken@mycoffee.net or 808 (969-7926). Find detailed Kona Rangpur lime info at http://www.hawaiifruit.net/fruitdata/_rangpur.html.

 

‘Q’uisine of Hearts Next Weekend – Tickets Still Available

Tickets are still available for ‘Q’uisine of Hearts—a delectable Valentine brunch Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Tickets, priced at $45 for adults and $20 for children aged 5-10, are for sale at Gourmet Chef’s Supply, Kailua Candy Company and Kona Wine Market in Kona or at Tropical Dreams Ice Cream in Waimea. Charge by phone at 808-329-2522.

‘Q’uisine of Hearts is presented by the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association as a benefit for local keiki nutrition awareness programs. It has been generously hosted by Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort for the last 17 years.

Debi Bishop, resort general manager, comments, “As an award-winning resort for families, Hilton Waikoloa Village is absolutely delighted to be a part of an event that benefits nutritional education programs for kids of all ages.  Executive Chef Charles certainly promotes the importance of a healthy balance of nutrition in what we serve every day at our resort.  In our continued support of ‘Q’uisine of Hearts, we are excited to help bolster the efforts of ACF in keeping our community and children healthy and well-nourished.”

The event offers a bountiful bruschetta buffet, custom omelet stations and eggs benedict—all prepared by the culinary students at Hawaii Community College-West Hawaii.  An array of handcrafted miniature desserts by local pastry chefs, bakers, chocolatiers and ice-cream makers are sure to please your special someone.

Sip champagne, wines, handcrafted ales, 100% Kona coffee, or tropical teas while enjoying tinkling on the keyboard by pianist Loren Wilken. A silent auction includes bidding on premier floral arrangements, plus intimate dinners and pupu parties prepared by local chefs.

For information, contact 808-333-5442.