Just Before Easter, The Peeps Factory Closes Due to Coronavirus

The announcement had many wondering if the latest food business to be affected by the ongoing coronavirus health crisis would end up giving Easter a different look this year.

Just Born, the candy manufacturer that makes Peeps along with other candies, announced that it is temporarily suspending production in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pa., due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The closure comes just 3 weeks ahead of the biggest day for the Easter staple marshmallow candy.  The news, of course, has some worried if they will still be able to fill baskets with the seasonal favorite.

In a press release, the company assured consumers that all of the Peeps for the season have been already made.“All of our PEEPS® have been produced and shipped to retailers for this upcoming Easter season", the statement said. The company went on to say, "We do have inventory of MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES® and GOLDENBERG’S® PEANUT CHEWS® for the short term but may experience out of stocks on several individual items."

Just Born has been making Peeps since 1953. The production averages about  5.5 million Peeps daily, adding to total of 2 billion Peeps per year across all seasons.More than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps are consumed every year in the United States.

The company will stop production on March 25th and the closure will be in effect until at least April 7th.