Peep this: union-made candy for spring holidays – National Consumers League

By Michell K. McIntyre, Director of NCL’s Special Project on Wage Theft 

With another candy-centric holiday right around the corner, let’s give a shout-out to union-made candies and remind consumers of the opportunity to support pro-worker efforts (collective bargaining for a fair wage and decent benefits) of unions. Below is an extensive list, complied by the good folks at Union Plus. The lists represents the products produced by the hard-working efforts of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM); the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW); and the fruit and nuts from members of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW).

Included on the list are Hershey and Nestle – two companies that have recently been in the news regarding accusations of child labor in their supply chains. Hershey has pledged to do better, and Nestle has recently partnered with the Fair Labor Association, an independent third party that will monitor Nestle’s supply chains as they did with Apple’s Chinese manufacturer, Foxconn, and launched an investigation into child labor in their supply chains. With this in mind, consumers should have the knowledge to arm themselves in the candy aisle to make informed and responsible choices.

With all the attacks facing unions, please support the efforts of these hard-working men and women and buy union-made holiday candy.

Just Born

  • Peeps
  • Mike & Ike
  • Hot Tamales
  • Peanut Chews
  • Jelly Beans

Jelly Belly’s Candy Company

  • Jelly Bellies – also made in a non-union plants in Chicago/Taiwan
  • Chocolate Dutch Mints
  • Chocolate Temptations
  • Dimples
  • Goelitz Confections
  • Goelitz Gummi
  • Pet Rat
  • Pet Tarantula
  • Sweet Temptations
  • Candy Corn
  • Licorice
  • Malted Milk Balls
  • Chocolate Coated Nuts, & Sours
  • Sunkist Fruit Gel Slices

Necco (New England Confectionery Company)

  • Sweethearts
  • Mary Jane Peanut Butter Chews
  • NECCO Wafers/Necco Wafer Smoothies
  • Sky Bar
  • Clark Bar
  • Canada Mints
  • Candy Cupboard
  • Thin Mints
  • NECCO Assorted Junior Wafers
  • Clark Junior Laydown Bag
  • Mary Jane Laydown Bag
  • Haviland
  • Mallow Cups
  • Necco Peanut Butter Kisses

Ghiradelli Chocolates

  • All filled & non filled squares
  • Non Pariels
  • Chocolate chips

Gimbals Fine Candies

  • Jelly Beans
  • Cherry Hearts
  • Scotty Dogs
  • Jelly Beans

Hershey Products

  • Hershey Kisses*
  • Hershey Syrups
  • Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar*
  • Hershey Milk with Almond Bars
  • Hershey Special Dark Bars
  • Hershey Nuggets
  • Rolo
  • Hershey Kissables
  • Kit Kat Bars
  • Carmello Bar
  • Cadbury Fruit & Nut Bar
  • Cadbury Roast Almond Bar
  • Cadbury Royal Dark Bar
  • Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar
  • Jolly Ranchers
  • Hershey Symphony Bar with Toffee

See’s (all)

American Licorice

  • Black & Red Vines
  • Strawberry Ropes

Sconza Candies

  • Jawbreakers
  • Chocolate Covered Cherries
  • Chocolate

Nestle

  • Nestle Treasures
  • Laffy Taffy
  • Kathryn Beich specialty candy
  • Baby Ruth*
  • Butterfinger*
  • Pearson’s Nips
  • Famous Old Time Candies (gourmet chocolates)
  • Nestle Crunch Butterfinger Crisp

Pearson’s Candy Co.

  • Salted Nut Roll
  • Nut Goodie
  • Mint Patties
  • Bun Bars

Anabelles Candy Company

  • Boston Baked Beans
  • Jordon Almonds
  • Rocky Road
  • U-Nos
  • Look
  • Big Hunk
  • Abba-Zaba
  • Yogurt Nuts & Fruit

*Some products made in Mexico; check the label for country of origin.

For more information on the above list of union-made candy, please visit Union Plus and if you’d like a mobile version of the Union Plus list sent to your phone, please text CANDY to 22555.