Jelly Belly Candy Company makes kosher corporate gifts
Create your own!
More than 140 years ago, immigrant Gustav Goelitz arrived in the US and launched his family's candy-making business—now known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company. A century later, Goeltiz' great-grandson, Herman Rowland, Sr., went to work for the family business when he was just 13 years old. Every weekend and holiday he'd do whatever needed to be done, from sweeping floors to candy making.
When Rowland grew up, he became Jelly Belly's chairman of the board—a 4th-generation candy maker. He's in the Candy Hall of Fame and his story is told in Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul. His children and grandchildren have positions in the company and are learning the candy business from the ground up, just as he did.
In 2008 Jelly Belly converted its entire line of 190 confectionery delights to become OU Kosher certified, which has opened new markets all over the world, including in Israel. Today every Jelly Belly product is kosher.
"It was very challenging to convert thousands of ingredients in three plants to kosher," explains Rowland. "We've had terrific cooperation in solving the challenges from the Orthodox Union and we look forward to continuing that excellent relationship."
Michael Bianco, Jelly Belly's vice president of manufacturing, agrees. "Working together with the Orthodox Union to certify the two manufacturing facilities has been a cooperative effort."
Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran, OU Kosher's vice president of communications and marketing and senior rabbinic coordinator said, "The commitment by Jelly Belly to the OU's highest standards has been evident throughout the certification process, involving cooperation and involvement of all key company officials."
"Seeing how much time and manpower it takes to produce a single jelly bean has been amazing, adds Rabbi Zalman Thaler, the local Orthodox Union representative. "The company's emphasis on quality standards for thousands of ingredients that are needed to produce such a range of flavors is impressive."
Jelly Belly, which is headquartered in Fairfield, California, is popular among corporations that purchase customized Jelly Belly products for corporate events.
Jelly Belly participates in a program with the Jewish Children's Museum of New York that helps educate children about how to shop for kosher products.
Promotopia.com carries many kosher products filled with Jelly Belly beans including one of the newest flavors, pomegranate. Businesses choose Promotopia.com gifts and favors for Hanukkah, and other events throughout the year because they can customize them with color logos and text—and fill them with kosher Jelly Belly beans.
At Promotopia.com, we make choosing corporate promotions simple and fun. You can create your next corporate promotions in our online store in about 5 minutes. We have low minimums, we ship the next business day, and we eliminate the hassle and stress. Got 5 minutes? Try it out!
