The Idaho Candy Company, now owned by former U.S. Navy nuclear engineer Paul Sturdivant and his wife Megan, proudly shipped 120 Idaho Spud Bars to Groton, Connecticut, for the historic first meal aboard the USS Idaho (SSN 799) on August 21, 2025. This iconic Idaho treat, a cocoa-flavored marshmallow bar covered in dark chocolate and coconut, brings a taste of the Gem State to the crew of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine.
The USS Idaho, christened in March 2024 and slated for commissioning in spring 2026, embodies the state’s identity through its design and culture. Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, the submarine features advanced acoustic stealth technology developed at the U.S. Navy’s Acoustic Research Laboratory in Bayview, Idaho, on the historic Camp Farragut site, a WWII Navy bootcamp that trained nearly 300,000 sailors. Idahoans have contributed to the vessel through fundraising, design support, historical research, and menu planning, with the crew galley and wardroom showcasing murals of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains and Redfish Lake.
The first meal aboard the USS Idaho highlighted the state’s culinary heritage, featuring elk steaks, baked potatoes, huckleberry pie, and the beloved Idaho Spud Bars supplied by the Idaho Candy Company. Founded in 1901 by T.O. Smith, the company has been a Boise institution, producing the Idaho Spud Bar since 1918 at its historic factory at 412 S. 8th Street. Under the new ownership of Paul and Megan Sturdivant, who acquired the company in July 2025, Idaho Candy continues to preserve its legacy while expanding its reach.
“As a Navy veteran, it’s an honor to contribute to the USS Idaho’s first meal with our Idaho Spud Bars,” said Paul Sturdivant, co-owner of Idaho Candy Company. “The history of the nuclear Navy is one in the same with the history of Idaho and we’re proud to be part of this milestone”.
The inclusion of Idaho Spud Bars in the inaugural meal underscores the deep ties between the submarine and its namesake state, with Idahoans’ contributions shining through in every detail, from the ship’s design to its dessert.