AKRON, NY — Ford Gum & Machine Company, Inc., has introduced its new lineup of Easter Gum & Candy for 2001. According to the company, the Easter 2001 line includes the new, reclosable mini-egg carton of one dozen EASTER BUBBLE GUM EGGS, the unique EASTER BUNNY TREAT BUBBLE GUM EGGS, last year’s highly successful CARROT BUBBLE GUM, and the popular EASTER BUNNY GUMBALL DISPENSER and EASTER BUNNY GUMBALL MACHINE BANK. Other items in the Easter lineup include, pastel colored SNACK DISPENSERS, and the miniature PIXIE gumball machines, the world’s smallest working candy dispenser.

"Success in the seasonal candy business depends on creating an exciting product, creating excitement about that product, adding a variety of products to the mix, and making sure that product is multi-functional," says Steve Gold, Ford Gum’s Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "It must also offer a good value for the consumer and excellent profits for the retailer."

Ford Gum’s Easter line-up includes:

EASTER BUBBLE GUM EGGS come in a unique mini-egg carton of assorted pastel colored, fruit flavored, speckled bubble gum eggs that are available in two convenient packaging options. A .9 oz. clear pack that holds 12 Easter gumballs and is packed 6-24 count displays per case.

A 2.7 oz. 3-PACK that holds 3 individual packages of mini-egg cartons each with a dozen gumballs and is packed 24 bags per case.

EASTER BUNNY TREATS BUBBLE GUM EGGS comes in a colorful, egg-shaped package with clear window, displaying 3.5 oz. of assorted color, fruit flavored, speckled bubble gum eggs. Packed 2-16 count displays per case.

CARROT BUBBLE GUM is a transparent, plastic carrot with a removable top filled with 3.0 oz. of assorted color, fruit flavored speckled bubble gum eggs. It is packed 2-15 count displays per case.

The always popular EASTER BUNNY GUMBALL DISPENSER. These 6 inch tall plastic bunny’s come filled with 3 oz. of assorted fruit flavored pastel bubble gum. Just turn the knob and out comes the gumball. Packed in assorted colors per printed display shipper and 1-12 count displays per case.

With Ford Gum’s original 9 inch tall EASTER BUNNY GUMBALL MACHINE BANK you just twist the coin-operated carrot handle and a pastel colored gumball dispenses from the tree trunk. Bunnies are individually boxed in assorted colors and packed 12 per case. Each Bunny is filled with 4 oz. of assorted fruit flavored gumballs.

The SNACK DISPENSER is 9-1/2 inch tall machine that comes in 3 assorted pastel colors. A lever flips to dispense a variety of snacks and candies. Each dispenser is packed in a full color display box, 6 per case.

The PIXIE GUMBALL MACHINE features the world’s smallest working gumball machine. The Pixie is only 3 inches tall and dispenses miniature candies. The counter display holds an assortment of 24, shrink-wrapped Pixie candy dispensers filled with3/4 oz. of candy. A colorful blister card version is also available holding 36 cards per case.