National Jell-O Week
This wiggly, jiggly treat has been a dessert staple for generations. Whether it's in a mold or in a cup, Jell-O is always a crowd-pleaser.
Drive Jell-O and gelatin dessert sales during February with nostalgic, family-friendly campaigns celebrating the iconic wiggly treat's accessibility and multi-generational appeal.
- Throwback recipes: vintage Jell-O molds from the 1950s-80s
- DIY Jell-O hacks: modern twists on classic gelatin desserts
- Family nostalgia angle: 'What's your favorite Jell-O memory?'
- In-store promotions: bundle gelatin products with dessert ingredients
National Jell-O Week takes place during February, celebrating the history and impact of Jell-O’s gelatin and pudding creations. Before the nature of the infamous Jell-O company, gelatin-based foods began in the 1400s in the Middle East and spread to Europe and then to America.
Gelatin desserts were initially served only to the wealthiest households because of its lengthy process. This is because the main component of today’s Jell-O is protein gelatin, collagen that is extracted from boiled bones, connective tissues, and other animal products.
Once people got their hands on the recipe and started turning the concoction into powdered form, Jell-O had begun to grow significantly in popularity due to its broad access to the public.
In 1897, a carpenter, Pearle Bixby Wait, registered the trademark Jell-O and its recipe. Two years later, he sold the rights to Jell-O for $450 to a LeRoy businessman, Orator Woodward.
By the early 1900s, powdered gelatin was widely available, and in less than ten years, Jell-O was grossing $1 million a year. Eventually, Jell-O sold their company to General Foods Company, and in 1964, the Jell-O factory in LeRoy closed.
While the Jell-O company originated in the state of New York, the state of Utah in 2001 officially declared National Jell-O Week a holiday for people all over the world to celebrate their love for the delicious jiggly dessert and their variety of flavors.