Polaner is a brand name of fruit preserves and condiments founded by Max and Lena Polaner as M. Polaner Inc. in the late 19th century in Newark, New Jersey. It was renamed M. Polaner and Son, Inc. when their son Leonard S. Polaner joined the company.
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About
Its largest brand is Polaner All Fruit topping. It was acquired by Artal Group in 1986 but sold to American Home Products in 1993, later International Home Foods. B&G Foods acquired the brand in 1999 from International Home Foods.
Advertising
Polaner All Fruit is best known for the "Don't DARE call it jelly" campaign in the 80s and 90s, in which a succession of well-to-do users of the product ask to "pass the Polaner All Fruit" before a decidedly more uncouth man asks to "please pass the jelly," much to everyone's shock and disgust.
History
Max and his wife Lena Polaner started preserving fresh fruits and picking fresh vegetables before 1900. Together the two had a fruit and vegetable store located in Newark, New Jersey. As a side business they also sold jellies, preserves, sauerkraut, pickles, and many other goods. Eventually Max and Lena extended their business outside of just their neighborhood of Newark and into grocery stores throughout New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas.
In 1910 their business needed to expand due to high demand. They ended up moving their business to larger quarters where their ten employees continued to work hard. The business grew to sending goods up to 100 miles away, thus causing another need for an even larger facility and workforce.
A new facility was built in 1928 where 30 employees were welcomed into the Polaner family business. Consumers continued to buy Polaner goods for the next forty years. Once again the Polaner business decided to move to an even larger location. To keep up with other preserving plants, Polaner decided to modernize its capabilities.
In 1968, the business decided to construct its facility on eight acres of land in Roseland, New Jersey. This facility took on two expansions, one in 1972 and the other in 1978 resulting in an 80,000 square foot facility which is still being used today.
Max's grandson, Leonard Polaner decided to introduce the newest innovation in the preserve category, Polaner All Fruit. This new preserve is sweetened only with fruit and fruit juice.