Just in time for a sweet New Year, CandyFavorites.com has launched an extensive kosher candy section including over 650 kosher dairy and kosher parve offerings from among its 3,500 varieties. CandyFavorites.com, based in McKeesport, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh, is the oldest continuous online candy store.

"Our new kosher candy section continues our long tradition of offering customers more choices in a focused manner," said Jon H. Prince, company president. "On the site, candies have been broken down into subcategories allowing customers to browse by kosher dairy and kosher parve. We plan on expanding our selection to include a wide variety of bulk candies."

"It's kind of funny how the idea developed," said Prince, who is Jewish. "I swim on a regular basis, and the woman in the next lane is the wife of a Reconstructionist rabbi. We talked from time to time about having a kosher line." As the idea percolated through the company, Jonah Half, director of marketing, conducted research to put in place what Prince called "one of the most robust kosher candy sections currently available online."

"We envisioned a place where kosher consumers could easily find their favorite candies and have them shipped directly," said Half. "The rabbi's wife," added Prince, "provided help with some technical questions”

CandyFavorites.com offers wholesale and bulk products which add a sweet dimension to simchas, such as Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and weddings, and to holidays. "This is great candy for shlach manot baskets for Purim or to pelt the happy couple at an aufruf," Prince suggested.

There are many entry points on the website; shoppers can browse by color, type, flavor and brand. Shopping by decade is another option; the business specializes in "retro candy," candy with a long history. A click on a product will indicate if it's kosher. To shop kosher products exclusively, you can go to "shop our candy selection" and click on "kosher candy." "We like people to find what they're looking for on their own terms," said Prince. "We have had a very positive response since we opened up the kosher line,"

"Our goal is keep it simple," Prince added. "We're a little different from a lot of websites in that we're service-based. Our motto is, 'candy is what we sell, service is what we deliver.' We bridge the gap between technology and customer service. We will work with you individually to help with your choices." Prince compared his business to a clothing store. "You sometimes need help with your selections. Our goal was to make a site for a variety of people and their specific needs.”

CandyFavorites.com ships all over North America, Europe and South America. All merchandise is housed in a temperature-controlled warehouse. The site also includes articles and information on all aspects of the candy industry. The CandyFavorites.com newsletter features news, coupons and updates on new products.

Prince recently participated in a "candy bucket challenge," a variation on the popular ice bucket challenge, to raise money for ALS. "It's fun to work in our company," he said.

CandyFavorites.com's parent company is McKeesport Candy Co., which was established in 1927. McKeesport is one of the oldest, privately owned, wholesale candy distributors in the nation. CandyFavorites.com was the first wholesale candy company to go online.

If you're looking for a sweet surprise for friends and family at Rosh Ha Shanah, you might consider stocking up on Big Hunk, a two-ounce, eight inch candy bar with honey-sweetened nougat enveloping roasted peanuts. It's even low in fat and gluten-free.

Shop on-line or call 1-888-525-7577

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