Area residents may be able to show their support of two local businesses at once when they enjoy a nice cool drink.

The Pepsi Throwback campaign has officials from Sidney Sugars and Blue Rock Products excited because the product features sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. That’s good news in sugar country.

“It’s a very good trend,” Russ Fullmer, agricultural manager at Sidney Sugars, said. “I think they will look at the sales on how Pepsi is doing when deciding to keep having it.” Karen Olson Beenken, executive vice president of Blue Rock, said the company and local Pepsi drinkers are enthused about the product.

“We’re just hoping it sticks,” Olson Beenken said. “It depends on consumer demand, obviously. We love it, and we would love it if it keeps going.”

Blue Rock receives its Pepsi can supply from its supplier in Worland, Wyo. Sugar from those cans comes from the sugar beet processing plant in Worland.

Andrew Briscoe, president and CEO of The Sugar Association, also commends soft drink companies for going with sugar.

“Obviously, we’re excited about Pepsi doing the consumer tests its doing with both Pepsi and Mountain Dew,” Briscoe said. “It’s a very positive sign that Pepsi is listening to consumers.”

Briscoe noted this is Pepsi’s second test of the sugar product. The first test was held last March. This campaign is scheduled to end Feb. 22. He feels it’s a positive sign that the company is doing a second test and is investing substantial funds in advertising to promote the drinks.

“Taste is the real driver here,” Briscoe said. “And consumers are demanding more natural products.”

He is hoping the Pepsi Throwback stays as an on-going product or at least a special item once or twice a year.

“What we’ve been hearing from consumers and retail outlets is they have been having a hard time keeping it on their shelves,” Briscoe said.

Fullmer remembers a time when there was a whole silo designated for Pepsi in Worland. He also recalls a warehouse in Torrington, Wyo., being filled with 100-pound bags of sugar for soft drinks.

“That’s just two local places,” Fullmer said. He states that in the 1950s and 1960s, bottling was the sugar industry’s best customer.

Fullmer noted some area beet growers expressed enthusiasm about the product when Pepsi Throwback came out.

Olson Beenken also has heard positive comments from the community. “I would love for it to continue. It’s been fun to sell, especially in our market.”

The product is available in 20-ounce bottles and 12-pack cans in the area. Olson Beenken says the availability of the product nationally will be determined by its popularity.

“We will do anything we can to have it for as long as we can,” Olson Beenken said. “If the company discontinues it, we will kinda go down kicking.”

editor@sidneyherald.com