7 Reasons This Muffin Mix Can Save America

[OneGrassRoot]

Last edited Sun Apr 7, 2013, 03:12 PM - Edit history (3)

Edit to add the company website in case you want to give them a shoutout: http://www.jiffymix.com/

Not perfection (see posts #37/38), but this company has more integrity than the vast majority we tend to hear about. I'll take integrity; I'll support them and encourage them to do better.

"Cory, My name is Howdy Holmes; I'm the CEO of Jiffy mix. Why don't you give me a call at ...." I could hardly believe my ears. There on my non-smart phone voicemail was a message from a Formula Atlantic Racing Champion-turned-CEO of the $100 million per year market-leading company in prepared baking mixes. What could I possibly have done to deserve this honor? I simply had written a short note complaining that I preferred the flavor of real blueberries to the artificial ones in their muffin mix.

Anyone who has dared venture down a grocery store's baking aisle or opened their grandparent's cupboard has probably seen one of the timeless white and blue "Jiffy" boxes that haven't changed much since the mixes were first invented by Holmes' Grandmother in 1930. What I didn't know until I did some homework, was just how great of a company is behind Jiffy mix. After a 16-minute long chat with the Jiffy mix CEO, and 11 years of studying business and economics, I knew I had discovered one of America's last great businesses. Here is seven reasons why:

1. Jiffy mix sells over 55% of all muffin mixes in the United States, but doesn't spend a dime on advertising.

While Jiffy competes by selling quality products at the lowest price (40 to 60 cents for corn muffins, for example), most American companies now try to sell their products by making people feel inadequate. "Buy our products, or you won't be happy or sexually fulfilled" is the implicit message that lies to us each time we turn on a TV or catch up on the latest news. Instead of trying to convince us what we should want, Jiffy simply does the right thing, and works to meet a genuine need for convenient wholesome food. The 30% to 52% off the final price that Jiffy saves not advertising or making flashy packaging is directly passed on to customers in the form of unusually low prices.

FULL ARTICLE (excellent!): http://www.policymic.com/articles/30626/7-reasons-this-muffin-mix-can-save-america

[AndyA]

1. Thanks for posting, it's nice to hear about caring, responsible companies

I've also noticed that Jiffy hasn't reduced the size of their packages recently to keep the price down, nor have they raised prices like so many others have. I buy their products because I remember my Mother and Grandmother bought them. I can still see the blue and white boxes in the pantry.

I still believe if you treat employees well, pay them well, and provide them with benefits and a reason to work hard, you'll get more out of them because they'll appreciate the fact that their employer values their work.

Give consumers quality products at a good price, and they will remain loyal. There are so many products I used to buy that I won't anymore, due to a corporate culture that I don't agree with. It's good to know that at least with Jiffy I'm supporting a company that is bucking the current corporate trends of outsourcing, low pay, no benefits, and screw the consumer because everyone else is.

Thanks again for posting!

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Exactly. You're welcome! :) n/t

[winter is coming]

3. I could deal with a price increase as long as the package size stays the same.

It's not like my baking pans are shrinking.

[enlightenment]

4. Thirty years ago,

my grandmother bought a box of Jiffy cornbread mix. She loved Jiffy's brand because it was - to quote - "not too sweet" and the small size made just the right amount for her to eat over the course of a week.

This time, when she opened the box, the mix had flour bugs. Now, my granny wasn't squeamish at all and would routinely just sift the critters out of whatever dry mix they'd gotten into (or ignore them), but for some reason she was intensely annoyed by this particular infestation.

So she wrote a letter to the CEO of Jiffy and complained. She explained that she'd been buying Jiffy mixes since they started selling them (true - granny was born in 1899) and she was disappointed. Very disappointed.

About ten days later, the mailman arrived with a massive box and a special delivery letter. The letter was from the CEO - handwritten and signed. In it, he apologized profusely, promising to order an inspection of all Jiffy products and hoping that she would accept a small token of his esteem for a valued customer. That was the box - filled with multiple boxes of every variety of Jiffy mixes that they made at the time, with a focus on the cornbread and blueberry muffin mix (she apparently mentioned those were her regular purchases).

Granny died about a year later and still hadn't made her way through all those boxes of Jiffy - and she never forgot that CEO, who she said "made his mama proud".

[csziggy]

6. Companies used to know how testemonials like that sold products

Thirty years later, your grandmother's experience is still wonderful PR for Jiffy Mix. No ad campaign can create a positive story for a company - and sending a shipment with a variety of their mixes to one disappointed customer cost far less than airing an ad one time.

As for the OP, I never knew Jiffy Mix was so cheap because they didn't advertise. I've always assumed they used cheaper ingredients. From now on, if I buy mixes, Jiffy Mix will be on the top of my list. General Mills was previously on top, mostly because my husband's grandfather worked for them for most of his life.

[Fawke Em]

9. Cornbread shouldn't be sweet at all...

...said the Southerner.

[enlightenment]

10. Granny was born and raised in

McComb, Mississippi. She would have agreed 100% - she would also shudder at the idea of adding corn kernels and hot peppers to her cornbread.

And it had to be cooked in a cast-iron skillet, preheated in the oven until the batter sizzled when it hit the pan, because that was the only way to get the right crust. And cut in wedges. Leftovers were crumbled up in warm milk.

She preferred her own cornbread, but Jiffy was convenient.

[classof56]

27. What a memory you've evoked!

My parents were raised in the south--well, Texas--and your granny's recipe is how my mother made cornbread, learned from my grandmother, I'm sure. It would be skillet cornbread with Sunday dinner, then that night after we got home from evening church service, we'd have leftover cornbread crumbled in milk--aka Crumbin. Funny thing is, I was an adult before I realized it was called Crumbin. I just knew it was something my Dad in particular enjoyed, and we all found quite yummy. My parents are gone now, but this is one memory I'll always cherish.

I like the story about Jiffy, and what a customer-oriented and responsible company they are. When I'm putting together items for a food drive or the local food bank, I always include several boxes of Jiffy cornbread, muffins, etc. From now on, I'll up the ante!

Blessings.

[enlightenment]

33. They are fond memories.

I miss my gran - and my mom, who learned it all at her knee (as I learned from them both). I still have the cornbread skillet, though - passed along from hand to hand.

I never knew it was called Crumbin, though - I don't think I ever heard it called anything. I have to admit I'm not a huge fan, but that's because granny's other favorite was milk toast, which she always made me eat when I was sick. I like my toast crunchy, not soggy . . .

[haikugal]

53. Memories...

My father grew up in Arkansas during the depression. His was a large family and food was scarce. He loved cornbread in buttermilk which I think was a result of those times when there just wasn't a lot to eat. I could be wrong on that but that was the impression I got growing up.

[CrispyQ]

28. Ditto on the pre-heated cast iron skillet!

I love cornbread!

[abelenkpe]

73. Whoa

That is exactly how I was taught to make cornbread by my very southern grandmother. Made some for my sons second grade class recently

[xtraxritical]

11. One cup corn meal half cup flour half cup sugar one egg 350 'till golden.

[xtraxritical]

81. I forgot to mention the half cup vegetable oil.

[Liberal_in_LA]

43. it's made sweet as cake these days. i dont like it so sweet

'

[alfredo]

61. Corn is already sweet.

[dmr]

69. My mom made it from scratch (w/ a small amount of sugar), but she

called it Johnny Cake.

And it was sooooo good. Mmmm.

We are Northerners (Michigan).

Jiffy Mix is the next best thing.

[stonecutter357]

75. You can't put buttermilk on sweet cornbread!

[Fawke Em]

83. I have posted on a lot of things, but it's nice that this ONE COMMENT

evoked such emotion by those who followed it!

The tails of veggie lard hitting the cast iron skillet (in all their varying forms) made me smile.

My Yankee hubby doesn't "get" cornbread. He HATES my cornbread because there is not an ounce of sugar in it (yes, there is veggie lard), but my kids eat it up. In fact, I rarely have left-overs. If I do, both children request those luscious slices or muffins for breakfast. Hubster STILL doesn't get it.

Thanks for all your memories, too!

[PSPS]

16. Most people's past seems to include such an experience

When I first read the article in the OP a while back, it reminded me of a couple of times my family had complained to a company about a product.

I was a little kid and my dad had a routine where, when he came home from work, he would always have one bottle of beer. It was one of those stubby bottles of brown glass which he would open, pour into a glass, and slowly sip over the course of, maybe, an hour. (A child's perception of time is different, so it could have been mere minutes.) This was back when most major cities had one or more local breweries. Anyway, one day, my dad said his beer "tasted funny." He wrote a letter to the company just to inform them of this, not asking for anything. The next day, when they received the letter, they called and asked my mother (this was back in the days when the mother stayed at home to raise us four kids while my dad could make enough money to support the whole household and, gasp, even take a vacation every year) if they could stop by. Later, a man from the brewery stopped by, apologized profusely, took back what was left of the beer and left two cases to make up for my dad's experience. When my dad came home and discovered this, he opened one of the bottles, poured it into a glass, took a sip and said, "Oh, yes. This is just right!"

Another experience involved my maternal grandmother. She lived in our city but was born and raised in England and loved Cadbury chocolate. She worked at a department store (again, this was back in the day when most major cities had at least one locally-owned large department store) and enjoyed buying Cadbury chocolate there with her employee discount! One day she found what she thought might be a piece of wood in her chocolate. So she sent it to Cadbury's home office in England (probably Birmingham) along with a brief note. She received a reply saying they had meticulously examined what she thought was "foreign material" and, in fact, it was merely the usual wafer portion of the bar which had not been "cooked properly." They thanked her profusely and, a few days later, a large box arrived from Birmingham with an assortment of Cadbury chocolate!

Needless to say, both my dad and grandmother remained loyal customers and, due to their telling others of their experiences, both the brewery and Cadbury surely garnered good will that no advertising can buy.

[enlightenment]

23. True.

Although I suspect companies do less and less. Coupons are the go-to response these days, generally from a department created solely for the purpose of dealing with customer complaints.

I did have a nice exchange with some folks at Eggland eggs not long ago, after I wrote inquiring if they had changed their feed (because their Omega-3 eggs smelled and tasted like fish, which I gotta tell you is gross!)

I didn't want anything from them - just an answer to the question. When I got that through to them - which took a couple of email exchanges with the woman in the customer services department, because she wanted to send me coupons - they passed my message along to their science department. One of the quality assurance scientists wrote me a long email message, explaining exactly what goes into their feed and in what quantities, and how they check for freshness, etc. After I sent him the lot numbers and packing locations, he checked with the farms that supplied the eggs I had purchased and assured me that their feed was fresh.

I didn't ask for anything more and was satisfied (as much as is reasonable) with their response. I admit that I don't buy Omega-3 eggs anymore, because I learned that it is far too easy for the feed to ferment just enough to create that fishy problem.

[Berlum]

5. Do they got a mix for making only muffin tops?

[randome]

7. Jiffy is in an enviable position.

They don't spend on advertising? That's amazing!

But the more companies that compete, the harder it is to stand out, which leads to increased advertising for most other companies. Which leads to 'cutting the corners' where possible. Which leads to bribing your local Congressperson for an 'edge'.

It's our population problem that has led to this complex, intractable competition for resources. 'Resources' to most means water, air, food. But 'resources' in this context means a measure of dollars. Profit.

For most companies, nice guys finish last. If we had some way of reducing our population, we would all be in a better place, IMO.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. I hear you.

IMHO, traditional advertising is one more arm of the Wall Street corruption.

If we could better harness and take advantage of the tools at our disposal in these modern times, especially social media, that would be a great step forward, imho.

For example, as others have expressed elsewhere on DU lately, I'm weary of the nonstop pleas from progressive organizations and politicians to raise more money, money, money, in order to fight all the monied interests.

They're asking people who have no money to fight Big Money by contributing money.

We need to step wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy outside the friggin box. My two cents.

[JHB]

12. "Jiffy" Mix website

http://www.jiffymix.com/

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Thanks. Added to OP. :) n/t

[Frustratedlady]

31. For a moister cornbread, use the following recipe:

http://www.jiffymix.com/recipe.php/Jiffy+Corn+Muffin+Mix/70-Corn+Cake

You can also add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream to make it even moister.

[awoke_in_2003]

67. My wife uses cottage cheese. nt

[Frustratedlady]

82. Yes, I have heard of doing that, as well. eom

[savebigbird]

14. A really good childhood memory

was making pizza using Jiffy pizza dough mix with my family. I'm glad to hear there are businesses out there headed by decent people engaging in decent business practices while keeping prices low so that everyone can enjoy their hard work.

[kurtzapril4]

64. Yep, me, too!

I use Jiffy pizza dough mix whenever possible. I also use their corn muffin, and layer cake and frosting mixes. I learned it from my mom! Their brownies are awesome, too!

[morningglory]

15. Easy enough to buy frozen blueberries or pick your own.

I don't see why anyone would buy blueberries in a packaged product. Great post, though, and a great company. Enjoyed it very much. We use Jiffy mixes at our house for the times we need something to cook. Always one package in the cupboard.

[Fuddnik]

21. I toss some jalapenos or habaneros in mine.

Fresh or dehydrated. Adds a nice bite to it.

[stonecutter357]

76. Try

Try putting the jalapenos in the preheating pan and let it tost

[msanthrope]

17. Added to my weekly dry goods shopping list. nt

[Arkansas Granny]

18. I didn't realize they made so many different mixes.

Thanks for the link.

[midnight]

19. K&R,,,, Maybe business schools should start using Jiffy's business model.

[SamKnause]

20. Jiffy

Thanks for posting.

I wish this could go viral.

I will be purchasing their products on my next shopping trip.

[senseandsensibility]

22. I didn't know this, and I am glad I do now.

Sounds like a great company!

[dembotoz]

24. excellent post thank you

have not bought jiffy that much
little box turned me off
that has now changed

[Paper Roses]

25. Long time Jiffy user. Thanks for posting this.

I will continue to use their products and praise them for their support.

[cherokeeprogressive]

26. Jiffy Fudge Frosting.

Good, grainy and sugary... like cake frosting is supposed to be.

I used to mix up boxes of it when I had The Munchies.

[tabbycat31]

29. added to my shopping list

I grew up eating a lot of Jiffy products and I have fond memories of them.

Trader Joe's is now my go to cornbread mix (I make it with cream style corn) but I'll try the Jiffy blueberry muffins. I wish there were more companies like this in this country.

[SheilaT]

30. I likewise did not realize how many mixes they make.

I have only ever used the cornmeal muffin mix on occasion. I think I may try some of the others soon.

But I won't be trying the frosting mixes, because frosting is so incredibly easy to make from powdered sugar, unsalted butter, and a little milk or half and half. I also only ever make brownies and cakes from scratch, but that's just me.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

32. "I didn't want a 28-year-old brat from Wall Street telling me how to run my company."

A-fucking-men to that.

[Inspired]

34. I rarely buy mixes but if I do, it will be Jiffy.

And buy a few boxes for the food bank. Must support this patriotic company.

[librechik]

35. next, can you get them to switch to non-aluminated baking powder?

seems to be a main contributor to Alzheimer's and all the mix makers use it (except for the expensive "natural" brands)

not 100% sure Jiffy uses it, but if I had to bet...

[Sentath]

48. Looks like it varies by product

The corn muffins don't and the blueberry do. You'll just have to check the box you pick up.

[librechik]

62. thx! n/t

[JNelson6563]

36. This is awesome!

Great to know this company sees the value of what they are doing! Anytime I need a mix in the future, it will be theirs!

Julie

[BrotherIvan]

37. An awesome story

I wish more people could read it and I will be passing it along to my friends/family. I used Jiffy mixes in home ec class way back in junior high. I'm glad to see they have a great business model that keeps the company healthy and customers happy. I try to use that same idea as I build my own company.

But I'm sorry to say, I won't be able to buy their mixes. It's not their fault but almost 95% of conventional corn is GMO and I don't want to be a corporate guinea pig. It's too bad that soon, most US products will not be consumed by the rest of the world because agri-business is shoving that poison (that's unless we strong-arm them into importing it). I understand they want to keep prices low, so organic probably isn't the route they wish to take. I'm sure they have done their best to keep up the quality, but like all food produced in this country, it's nothing like what my mother and grandmother could buy because the basic ingredients are so tainted. A real shame.

[OneGrassRoot]

38. That's precisely why I introduced this OP saying it's not perfect...

I hear what you're saying, BrotherIvan.

Maybe we can bend their ear and encourage them to gradually change the ingredients to be more wholesome and untainted. If their general model is one of integrity, that's the next logical step, imho.

But I hear you.

Good luck with your company.

[flygal]

39. Best brownie mix ever!

It's hard to find but I swear you will never taste a moister more choclolate-y brownie! It's small like an 8x8 pan but I keep boxes on hand to whip up on short notice! I love jiffy products!

[senseandsensibility]

40. I noticed that you can order the brownie mix online

on their website, or even by phone. I may resort to that if I can't find it in my local store.

[TxDemChem]

41. I love Jiffy's culture and mindset

My company used to be this way, but now everything is all about profit. It's maddening!

[Cobalt Violet]

42. Now if they would take the animal fat and lard out of it.

Maybe then I could actually eat it.

[OneGrassRoot]

45. Seems they do:

http://www.jiffymix.com/product.php/12/Corn_Muffin_Mix


(I appreciate their business model and philosophy but wish they'd transition to some healthier ingredients.)

[Cobalt Violet]

46. just looked it up and edited my post too.

Yeah, I agree with what you said.

[libnnc]

44. I've been using it for a while now.

It's the little mix that can do ANYTHING. Honestly, I'm crazy about the stuff.

[Tess49]

47. Jiffy has a recipe book (free) they will send you. Thanks for reminding me about Jiffy. n/t

[littlewolf]

49. love Jiffy cornbread mix

it is the only kind I have ever used
Like to use a can of creamed corn
instead of water.

[intheflow]

78. That's a great tip!

I love the taste of their corn muffins but they always seem a little dry to me. I'm going to try using creamed corn instead next time. I'll bet it moistens it up nicely.

[Honeycombe8]

50. Thanks. I'll look for it in the stores! nt

[drm604]

51. If they'd remove the trans fats from their mixes they might have me as a customer.

Last edited Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:30 PM - Edit history (1)

[closeupready]

74. That's really the only sticking point for me.

It sounds like a terrific American company, and though I watch my carbs closely, I'd be willing to try making some myself on occasion, but not with the partially hydrogenated fat they use.

Anyway, it's a nice story, so I'm going to K&R.

[JDPriestly]

52. K&R.

Made me want to buy a Jiffy Mix for my next pot-luck. I like to support good, fair, well run companies.

[Warpy]

54. I loved their stuff before I learned how to bake

and it's still quite palatable even after a lifetime of scratch made everything, unlike a lot of other stuff that's been tinkered with to maximize profit.

If I could eat wheat, I could easily see myself still using their mixes when I'm having a serious flareup and don't have the energy to assemble all the ingredients for scratch made.

They make a wheat free mix, I'm there. Really.

[amuse bouche]

55. I don't use their products because I like to bake

However, some of the comments said Jiffy is not GMO free.

[OneGrassRoot]

57. No, they're not perfect.

I'd love for them to transition into healthier ingredients, too.

But I give them kudos for their business model otherwise.

[ThoughtCriminal]

56. Yes, I know the Muffin Man

[azurnoir]

58. Jiffy gets all the advertising it needs when you check the prices on the store shelves

nothing fancy just plain old comparative value

[tabbycat31]

59. A suggestion for those who don't normally buy mixes

Buy some Jiffy for your local foodbank next time you are grocery shopping. That way you can support them even if you can't/won't eat them.

[OneGrassRoot]

66. That's a great idea, tabbycat31. :) n/t

[Butterbean]

60. Jiffy is the only corn muffin mix I've ever used, the only one I like.

Plus, it's cheap to boot. LOVE Jiffy!

[RILib]

63. Jiffy goes on my shopping list

What a great company.

Although I'm wondering what an imitation blueberry is

[d_r]

65. I haven't done it in a long time

but I'm going to be honest enough to say that it has been known to happen in my kitchen for me to have some fresh blueberries on hand and put them in jiffy mix to make muffins.

[freemay20]

68. K & R EOM

[hibbing]

70. Jiffy pizza crust mix

Hi,
I use their pizza crust mix. I usually have to add a bit more flour, but that's okay. I made a Focaccia tonight using their mix.

Peace

[azurnoir]

71. for those who use Bisqick out there I suggest Jiffy Buttermilk Baking mix

comes in the same size box for about half the price and works every bit as well

[knitter4democracy]

72. Made in Michigan! It's the only one I use.

Their baking mix is great, and I grew up on their cornbread.

Chelsea, MI is where the headquarters are. Stop by for a tour, and then enjoy walking around Chelsea. Great little town not far from Ann Arbor.

[HughBeaumont]

77. Saving and spreading.

Good luck trying to convince America's "Winner Scorch Everything and Everyone Else" businessmen to go along with the acumen displayed by Jiffy, CostCo and various co-ops.

[cbdo2007]

79. Wish they had a gluten free product available

We just buy plain corn meal and make it from scratch.

[unapatriciated]

80. Great post

After many years working for a large very corporate Grocery Chain. I went to work for a smaller chain. They have very much the same business model as Jiffy. Very little advertising (a few radio spots and mailers about six times a year) never do sales or coupons Sales and coupons really increase the cost of the product. When I worked for the larger chain, one of my duties was price changes. I could always tell what would be going on sale in the near future. I would see an inching up of prices, a penny here a penny there. Sure enough those items would go on sale a few weeks later at the original price. They contribute locally to the community and encourage employees to get involved. The CEO still answers his own phone and emails, visits all locations every other year in order to meet and speak with employees. Pay a decent wage with benefits for all employees. I have been with them for almost nine years and plan on retiring with this company.