When Should I Order Candy?
When Should I Order Candy?
When Should I Order Candy?

Congratulations on your big day!  With your list of “Things to Shop for ” growing by the minute, Candy Favorites is here to save the day! 

Event planning (and shopping) can take several weeks and even months! 

As event planners will tell you, buying the small things early in the shopping stage.  But how early is too early to start preparing a Candy Buffet for your special day? 

Let us help ease some of the workloads as we walk you through your candy buffet set-up arrangements.  Consider us your mobile event planner - on-call day & night!

To answer the question of “when” to shop for your buffet goodies, we assembled a Must-Have Shelf Life Guide to keep handy throughout your event planning days. 

Keep in mind that, generally, candy should be stored at room temperature, but some can be refrigerated or frozen.  However, do not assume that all candy can be frozen. 

If your special event takes place during the summer or is in an area prone to high temperatures, you may want to order early while the weather to avoid additional shipping costs.

Brach's Butterscotch Disks. Great tasting and long shelf life. Who could ask for more?

Shelf Life Guide

Almonds – 1 year (pantry or refrigerator), 2 years (freezer)

Altoids – 18 months

Bubble Gum – 6 months

Bubble Gum (Big League Chew) – 15 months

Bubble Gum Ball (All Colors) - 3 months

Chewing Gum (Big Red) – 10 months

Chewing Gum (Dentyne) – 18 months

Chewing Gum (Doublemint) – 10 months

Chewing Gum (Juicy Fruit) – 10 months

Chewing Gum (Eclipse) – 12 months

Chewing Gum (Extra) – 18 months

Chewing Gum (Freedent) – 9 months

Chewing Gum (Orbit) – 10 months

Chewing Gum (Winterfresh) – 10 months

Butterscotch – 10 months

Cashews – 6-9 months (pantry), 1 year (refrigerator), 2 years (freezer)

Candy Bars – 2 - 4 months (pantry), 4 - 6 months (refrigerator), 6 – 8 months (freezer)

Caramel – 6-9 months (pantry or refrigerator), 1 year (freezer)

Candy Corn - 1 year

Caramels – 9 - 12 months

Fireballs – indefinite

Gobstoppers – indefinite

Gummi Candy – 6-8 months (pantry or refrigerator), 12 months (freezer)

Jelly Beans 1 – 2 years

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans – 8 months

Jordan Almonds (also called candy confetti) – 2 – 4 months, 12 months

Lollipops – 6 months

Malted Milk Balls – 6-9 months

Milk Duds – 9 months

M&M’s (plain) – 12 months (pantry), 12 – 16 months (freezer)

M&M’s (peanut) – 6 months (pantry), 12 – 16 months (freezer)

M&M’s (peanut butter) – 6 months (pantry), 12 – 16 months (freezer)

M&M’s (mint) – 12 months (pantry), 12 – 16 months (freezer)

Novelty Candy – 12 months

NECCO Wafers – 12 months

Packaged Cookies (unopened) – 1 – 2 months, 4 – 5 months

Packaged Cookies (opened) – 2 – 3 weeks, 4 – 5 months

Pistachios – 3 months (Pantry ONLY – do not freeze or refrigerate)

Peanuts - 6-9 months (pantry), 1 year (refrigerator), 2 years (freezer)

Reese’s Pieces – 12 months

Sunflower Seeds –4-5 months (pantry), 12 months (refrigerator or freezer)

Smarties – 2 tears

Skittles – 2 - 3 years

Starburst – 2 – 3 years

Sour Ropes - 1 year

Twizzlers – 7 months

Hard Candy – 12 months

Unwrapped Bulk Candy - 3 months ; however, certain items such as Candy Roll Wafers, Runts, Rock Candy Strings, and Candy Blocks will last longer due to their consistency.

Wrapped Bulk Candy: 12 months.

If perishability or exposure to high temperatures is an issue, the rule of thumb is "the softer the candy, the more likely it is to be damaged."

Please note that the above guidelines are only suggested recommendations and that we can not guarantee accuracy. If in doubt about a specific product, we encourage you to contact Customer Service.

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