JIFFY Mix - More Than Just Corn

It started in 1930 when the then-owner Mabel White Holmes created a baking mix designed for sale to consumers. It was the first prepared baking mix in the United States as an easy way to make biscuits, she named it JIFFY and marketed their new innovative product with the slogan:

"So Easy Even a Man Could Do It"

_{sorry gentlemen, don't kill the messenger}

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As of 2015 the company is operated and managed by Mrs. Holmes grandson Howdy Holmes, a former Indianapolis 500 race car driver. He has been the company CEO since 1995 and employs about 300 workers. The company produces 1.6 million boxes of mixes every day. The corn muffin mix accounts for 91% of retail sales. During the company's busy season, September thru January, they produce 180 million boxes of JIFFY mix.

In 2008 the company began planning a revitalizing project with the main objective to acquire new equipment requiring fewer employees to operate. This decision was based on company projections that most of the company's employees would be retiring by 2018. In 2015, 173 employees retired. With the new equipment it was not necessary to replace the retirees.  None of the employees were let go by the company.

The company does not advertise their product in any way, spending no money on advertising. Howdy Holmes stated the money not spent on advertising is passed on to their employees salaries and the ability to keep the retail price of the product low. The employees earn more than the industry standard and enjoy better benefits. Holmes has also rejected all attempts for a takeover or buyout from big corporations. He wants to keep it in the family.

If you're ever in Chelsea, Michigan, the JIFFY company offers free tours of its facilities.

I used JIFFY mix to make this red and green bell pepper upside down cornbread.  First I sauteed the peppers in the skillet, then prepared the batter in a bowl according to the package directions, poured it directly on top of the peppers, and baked for the time indicated on the box.  So easy!