Where to buy red Skittles in bulk?

July 1, 2007 11:40 AM

Where can we buy just red Skittles in bulk? Red Hershey Kisses would work also, but Skittles would be better.

My fiance and I are having our wedding this August, and the theme for the wedding is the color red.
We'd like to have a candy table with little baggies so that guests can fill their own candy bags as the leave.
So, we'd like to have a bunch of different red candies. We're specifically looking for red skittles, but they seem to be very hard to find in one color.

Does anyone know where we can buy red Skittles in bulk? We live in the Los Angeles area. I seem to remember somewhere (I think in Las Vegas) where you could purchase skittles in whatever colors you want, just fill your bag with them. Does anyone know of a place like this in the Los Angeles (or surrounding) areas?

We'd also like to have Hershey Kisses wrapped in red foil. Does anyone know where we can find those?

Thanks so much!

posted by elbaso to food & drink (16 comments total)

You can buy custom Skittles packets here.

Red Hershey's kisses here.

And, for another idea, you can order custom M&Ms here.
posted by amyms at 11:48 AM on July 1, 2007

@amyms:
Thanks for your suggestions... The suggestions for Skittles and Hershey kisses don't really work for us.
The Skittle link is for custom baggies that we can have something printed on, but in multiple colors of Skittles. No red only. We'd prefer a place to buy just red Skittles in bulk.

The link for Hershey Kisses seems to be for Kisses with custom stickers stuck to the bottom. Still in silver foil.

The link for M&Ms is great, though. We can buy just red M&Ms in 5 lb bags for $50. We will definitely be getting these.

We still need suggestions for Skittles or Hershey kisses.

Thanks for your help!
posted by elbaso at 12:12 PM on July 1, 2007

Here are (cherry flavored) kisses wrapped in reddish foil. They also have a list of all the red candy they offer.
posted by null terminated at 12:34 PM on July 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

Have you tried Dylan's Candy Bar? I don't think they have skittles but they carry kisses.
posted by nimsey lou at 12:35 PM on July 1, 2007

The place you're thinking of in Las Vegas is probably M&M's World, which is unhelpful for Skittles in particular.
posted by aneel at 12:39 PM on July 1, 2007

If you can't find any of those things, most big candy stores sell red jelly beans in bulk.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:43 PM on July 1, 2007

what about redhots?
posted by medium format at 12:56 PM on July 1, 2007

"Jelly beans?" Philistine! For your wedding, nothing but the best will do. Jelly Bellies in cinnamon, cherry, red apple, or raspberry ($72 for a ten-pound single-flavor bag).

Hershey's does make red-wrapped kisses (see here for an example). I'd suggest giving them a call to see if you can buy a 25-pound case of them. A coworker of mine used to work on the production line for Kisses, and he's constantly regaling me with stories of some of the one-off jobs they used to do; I think a 25-pound box of red kisses would be child's play for them.

Finally, here's a contact page for the Skittles corporation -- drop them a line and see what they can do for you. I think you might be pleasantly surprised, especially if you mention that this is for a wedding.
posted by Doofus Magoo at 1:07 PM on July 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

I would call A Southern Season, which is a store with a strong catalog business, based in Chapel Hill, NC. One thing they offer is chocolate-covered dried fruit (cherries, strawberries) that I'm sure you can order. In addition, the retail store has a large candy section with bulk bins full of various things - jelly beans of various flavors, for example, plus a bunch of imported candy that I've never seen anywhere else. If the catalog people can't help you, I'd call the retail store in Chapel Hill and see if they can help you out. You could find something much more interesting than Skittles if you were interested.

It might be a little more expensive, but I think they are very customer-service oriented and could probably help you out with little fuss.

e-mail for product inquiries: [e-mail]

online/catalog orders: 800.253.3663
retail store: 919.929.7133
posted by amtho at 1:08 PM on July 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

Also, check out Economy Candy in NYC. They have lots and lots and lots of red candies, and even though they don't list skittles on their site, it might be worth a call.

(Ecomony Candy is the non-touristy Dylan's in NYC.)
posted by AlisonM at 1:56 PM on July 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

I work for a company that is a wholesaler of bulk foods, including candies. Sadly we're in the southeast so that probably won't help you. I've seen skittles in bulk, but not as single colors. Then again... maybe no one has ever asked for them.

The company owns some stores (where I work) as well as Outlet stores at their warehouses. The outlet stores have insanely cheap prices.

Find out what company handles the bulk foods at your local grocery stores. You should be able to see if they have an outlet store for cheaper prices.

Here's a thread about buying bulk candy in LA from Chowhound.

And if all else fails, the customer service number Masterfoods (AKA Mars Inc, AKA M&M/Mars) is 1-800-551-9982.
posted by aristan at 2:24 PM on July 1, 2007

Not that you asked, but as a host you may wish to know that American Skittles have gelatin and are therefore not appropriate to serve for vegetarians.
posted by NortonDC at 2:40 PM on July 1, 2007

The answer to your question is a large, cool, clean surface, a pair of latex gloves, and several hours of your fiance's time. Seriously though, once you get a routine going I think you'll be surprised how fast the work goes, and it will make for one of those cutesy little "oh doesn't he/she love me so much" anecdotes.
posted by Rhomboid at 2:46 PM on July 1, 2007

You've already hit Hot Tamales, Boston Baked Beans, Atomic Fireballs, and Red Hots right?
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:54 PM on July 1, 2007

Don't forget Twizzlers. Some people are addicted to those.
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:17 PM on July 1, 2007

@ Rhomboid - You will also need a mad love for skittles in all colors but red, as skittles are only 1/5 red, IIRC.

Or, give 'em to the homeless. One bag's worth is your daily requirement of vitamin C, and no one deserves scurvy.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 5:23 PM on July 1, 2007