Herman Goelitz

From gummies and mints to gourmet jelly beans and candy corn, members of Local 125 (Oakland, Calif.) help make Herman Goelitz Candy Company products some of the nation's leading treats.

The Goelitz family got its start in 1869 when Gustav and Albert Goelitz emigrated from Germany to California to start a candy-making business. Today, under the direction of the Goelitz brother's great-grandsons, BCTGM members carry on the tradition of making quality candy at the company's Fairfield, Calif. plant.

Perhaps the best-known Herman Goelitz candy is Jelly Belly jelly beans. In search of a "new" kind of jelly bean, the company set in motion a plan to produce an intensely flavored jelly bean, with natural flavoring wherever possible. In 1976, the first eight Jelly Belly flavors were born: Very Cherry, Lemon, Cream Soda, Orange, Green Apple, Root Beer, Grape and Licorice. Today, Jelly Bellies are the worlds leading jelly bean, available in 40 flavors in 35 countries worldwide.

However, union members at the Herman Goelitz plant in Fairfield produce other candies besides the renowned Jelly Belly. Numerous types of seasonal candy favorites are made by BCTGM members including Halloween candy corn, Valentine cinnamon hearts, Easter jelly bird eggs and Christmas tree taffy. Members also produce licorice, malted milk balls, chocolate-coated nuts, sours, gummi products and more.

Specific BCTGM-made Herman Goelitz brands include: Chocolate Dutch Mints, Chocolate Temptations, Dimples, Goelitz Confections, Goelitz Gummi, Pet Rat, Pet Tarantula and Sweet Temptations.