West Haven Man Who Created Mounds Candy Bar Honored Posthumously

WEST HAVEN, CT — (Pictured): Vincent Nitido Jr., center, receives citations Friday from state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi honoring his father, the late Vincent Nitido Sr., as a brilliant mind in the industry of candy-making who created the famous Mounds bar 100 years ago.

Nitido Sr., a West Haven resident at the time, introduced the dark chocolate and coconut-filled candy bar in 1920 as a single piece for 5 cents. A century later, his achievement was celebrated by the city he called home.

During a presentation at City Hall, fittingly held on Valentine’s Day, Rossi read the citation to Nitido Jr., saying: “On the centennial of your father’s iconic confectionary invention, the great people of our city join me in admiring his ingenuity in bringing his vision to fruition. We are proud of your father’s inspiring contributions to our local identity. We are also proud of you for preserving his daring legacy and undying spirit for generations to come.”

On behalf of the city’s delegation, Ferraro, R-West Haven, presented Nitido Jr., 85, of Brown Street, with the General Assembly citation in recognition of his father’s milestone. Nitido Sr. died in 1954.

The ceremony was attended by friends and members of the Nitido family.

In 1929, the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Co., founded in New Haven in 1919, bought the Mounds line and began production. Candy-makers Cadbury and Peter Paul merged in 1978, and The Hershey Co. purchased the company’s U.S. operations in 1988. Since then, the Mounds bar has been made by Hershey at its headquarters in Hershey, Pa.