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Tastykake, a Sweet Philadelphia Icon, Marks 100th Birthday

By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia phenomenon was marking its 100th anniversary today -- by giving.

Delivery trucks roared away from the Tastykake plant at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia, as they often do, but this time it was a big, tasty thank-you marking the firm's 100th birthday.

"Today we're making 100 special deliveries to local charities and first responders across Philadelphia and surrounding communities," said Tastykake president Paul Ridder.  "Some of those special delivery targets will be City Hall, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Red Cross, Philabundance, and local police and fire stations."

tasty bd cake _ost
(A 100th-anniversary cake is made from a variety of Tastykake products. Photo by John Ostapkovich)

Tastykake has a separate program called "100 Birthday Moments," partnering with the USO to celebrate its century of business by helping 100 lucky armed service members mark their own milestones.

The company that Ridder leads is a bit more complex than the one started by an egg salesman and a baker in 1914.  But, he says, its acquisition by Flowers Foods in 2011 has left it in good shape for the next hundred years.

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