Premium Candy Maker Gets Boost From The Illinois Made Program
Premium Candy Maker Gets Boost From The Illinois Made Program
By Tia Carol Jones
Jana Farmer began Ms. Jana’s Candy when she was 67 years old, making the peanut brittle she made for her mother. After her mother passed, she would make the peanut brittle and think of her mother. She got so good at it that she began sending it to family members.
For her peanut brittle, pecan brittle, toffees and caramels, Farmer uses the finest ingredients she can find. There are seven items. Everything Farmer does at Ms. Jana’s Candy is done with excellence.
Farmer said as a Black woman, it gives her pleasure when people come into her store, which is located in Aurora, Ill., after hearing about her premium candy. She said when people come in and see it is African American owned, other Black people have a sense of pride and have expressed that to her. She said it makes her so proud to be who she is and to be able to represent Black people.
“The fact that I made candy for my mom, just validates the fact that we pass down our stories and our traditions and our skills, from generation to generation,” she said.
Farmer said what makes Ms. Jana’s Candy unique is the ingredients that are used, and the flavors. There are no refined products that are used and everything is made in-house. For people who want to have the candy at events, there is an option to have it custom labeled.
Farmer was chosen for the Illinois Made Program. She found out from a representative that she was chosen for the program. She said once she learned they were selected, it took on a whole new meaning.
The “Illinois Made” program aims to showcase and celebrate Illinois' small businesses highlighting their unique products and experiences to expand tourism and economic growth statewide.
“Being selected to represent the Illinois Made Programs carries a huge responsibility. We never want to let down the people who selected us. We want to make sure that we remain the same day in and day out and that our quality is exactly the same,” she said.
Farmer said that being part of the Illinois Made Program makes her more aware that the State of Illinois is counting on her and the team at Ms. Jana’s Candy. Farmer proudly tells people that she is part of the Illinois Made Program. She said knowing that a high standard has been set, they are constantly refining what they do. They have started to host team building exercises and events where people can learn to make candy. She said it is an honor to be part of the program.
Farmer has brought her traditions and is proud that she is able to bring other people the taste that her mother loved. She is going to introduce a new chocolate in May for Mother’s Day. People can sign-up for the newsletter and receive coupons on the website.
“We are having the time of our life here. Its’ been so fun to start off doing something I did for my mom, and to watch it grow into what it’s become, has been great,” she said.
Ms. Jana’s Candy is located at 1649 Montgomery Rd, #10, in Aurora, Ill. For more information, visit msjanascandy.com or call 630-340-4006. www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/illinois-made.
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