CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - It's a sweet merger of two candy giants.
Jelly Belly Candy Company’s jelly beans will join Nerds, Lemonheads, and SweetTarts in the Ferrara Candy Company’s family of brands.
Chicago area-based Ferrara is buying Jelly Belly for an undisclosed amount of money.
While jelly belly is based in Fairfield, California, it can trace its roots to downstate Belleville.
The Goelitz Confectionery Company began producing Jelly Belly jelly beans in the 1970s. One famous customer, Ronald Reagan, turned to Jelly Bellies in the 60s as he tried to quit pipe smoking.
Jelly Bellies were produced in North Chicago from 1978 through 2014
Ferrara has four candy plants in the Chicago area and one in DeKalb.
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