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Ronald Reagan gave up smoking for jelly beans before becoming governor of California. As president, he had three and a half tons of Jelly Belly beans shipped to the capital for his inauguration. Jelly Belly also supplied the White House with jelly beans during most of his presidency.
Smoking was a part of daily life in the 1940s and 50s. Actor Ronald Reagan, for example, was happy to appear in commercials for Chesterfield cigarettes, as were many radio and film stars, long before anyone realized the health consequences of smoking. Before running for governor of California, Reagan gave up smoking a pipe, but soon acquired a substitute habit: gummies. In particular, a gourmet jelly that was new to the market at the time. In fact, there was rarely a time when Reagan was without a jar of jellies in his office, and no meeting could begin without passing the treats around. After he was elected president in 1980, three and a half tons of red, white and blue Jelly Belly beans were shipped to the nation’s capital for the inaugural festivities.
Reagan’s colorful presidency:
Herman Goelitz Candy Co., the original manufacturer of Jelly Belly, supplied the Reagan White House with jelly beans for most of his presidency. The company has also developed a jar of jelly beans adorned with the presidential seal.
The flavors of the red, white, and blue jellies provided for the unveiling were very cherry, coconut, and blueberry.
Toward the end of his presidency, Reagan switched to M&Ms, which became the official White House candy. And after Reagan left office, the Jelly Belly company stopped supplying the White House with candy.
