Driven by his passion for food science and brimming with ideas, UC Davis student Dion Skaria created Fit Candy – a nutritious treat that blends sweet and sour flavors while reducing food waste. This innovative gummy candy is crafted from upcycled watermelon rinds.

“People love to eat candy, but there’s not a whole lot of healthy, all natural, made with real fruit options out there,” Skaria said. “I wanted to create a product that is not only healthy for me and you, but something that is also healthy for the environment, something that’s sustainable.”

Skaria, a senior majoring in food science, learned that watermelon rinds are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. About a year ago, he began experimenting with the often-discarded material and discovered its properties can make a gelatinous candy-like product. He teamed up with a farming business in Manteca that grows and juices watermelons to collect rinds which he uses to make the candy.

Fit Candy comes in two flavors – strawberry watermelon and peach mango. Skaria said it’s just 20 calories per bag and contains under a gram of sugar. 

“It is made with 100% all natural ingredients and real fruit,” he explained. “There are no artificial ingredients, colors or sweeteners.”

Making a positive impact

From an early age, Skaria had a clear vision for his future. The entrepreneur has a knack for product development and aspires to be a business-savvy food scientist. His goal is to make items that will positively impact people’s lives. 

“I knew I wanted to study food and nutrition,” he said. “I wanted to create a product to help people live healthier, happier lives.”

He’s motivated to do that every day through a notebook he keeps by his bedside where he jots down all his innovative ideas for new foods and snacks. “I have probably over 50 ideas in there,” he said. 

Skaria had asthma and was overweight as a kid. He noticed a major shift in his health after his father, who is a food scientist, altered his diet to focus on healthy, all natural foods. 

“My life completely changed,” he said. “I felt better, looked better, started playing sports. It completely changed my life. The reason I got into food science was to try to have that same effect on other people.”

Earlier this year, Skaria started selling his Fit Candy for $2.99 per bag every Wednesday at the Davis Farmers Market and other local events. He sells out of his product every time. While it’s been a lot of hard work balancing school and getting the business off the ground, Skaria said it’s been worth it.

“It’s just me—I go straight from finals to making candy until 3 a.m. and then back to studying for a final, and back to making candy. I work on the marketing and social media, packaging, all the operations,” he said. “I pulled this thing up from the ground myself, but I’m loving every step of the way.”

Award-winning business pitch

Last month, Skaria pitched his business plan during PLASMA Demo Day, the culmination of a 12-week program for students to grow their startups, hosted by the UC Davis Student Startup Center. He earned the audience choice award and an award named in honor of the late UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm. Skaria said meeting with Karim’s parents, Majdi Abou Najm (Department of Land, Air and Water Resources) and Nadine Yehya (UC Davis Health), was an inspiring moment.

“It touched me emotionally, and it also lit a fire under me and reminded me that there are people who believe in me,” Skaria said. “Speaking with Karim’s parents, they believe in me and support me, and I can’t let them down.”

With the award earnings, Skaria purchased some commercial processing equipment and expanded his business to offer online sales of Fit Candy.

Skaria is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree this fall and would like to pursue a graduate degree in business. While there have been several people that Skaria is thankful for during this endeavor, he said there’s one person who inspires him the most.

“My dad is my biggest inspiration; he’s the reason I have the drive that I have and why I work so hard,” he said. “Right now, it’s time to work hard and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish, but there’s so much more to do.”