If rain is in the forecast and dampening consumers' summer Friday plans, Ferrara's Lemonhead will add brightness to your day, the brand says. Lemonhead is delivering free packs of its new Lemonhead Ropes right to consumers' doors via its Virtual Sunshine Stand, supported by Gopuff.
More than half a decade since its last product launch, Lemonhead is introducing a new candy format with Lemonhead Ropes. The product features a soft, tart center wrapped in a chewy, citrusy outer layer.
To learn more, we talked with Tricia Asbridge, brand manager, Lemonhead, Ferrara Candy Company.
Liz Parker Kuhn: Can you talk about the Gopuff and Lemonhead Ropes partnership? How do the on-demand deliveries of the Lemonhead Ropes work?
Tricia Asbridge: Summer rain -- especially ahead of the weekend -- can put a damper on an otherwise bright, cheerful day. That's why we're giving [consumers] nationwide the chance to have brightness delivered on-demand for free if rain is forecasted on summer Fridays with our new Lemonhead Ropes, all summer long, powered by Gopuff.
Every summer Friday between May 30 to August 29 from 1 pm through 8 pm ET, if rain is expected in your local forecast, we are offering bursts of sunshine by delivering free Lemonhead Ropes to doors nationwide for individuals residing in Gopuff delivery zones, while supplies last.
Rainy markets are determined by National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts with Gopuff's proprietary weather forecasting platform, Puffcast, and each delivery comes with four 3-oz packs of Lemonhead Ropes -- enough to enjoy solo or to share with others to add an extra boost to the day. Because when it rains, it pours Lemonhead Ropes!
LPK: How did the idea for Lemonhead Ropes come about?
TA: At Ferrara, we listened to the increasing consumer demand for rope candies, which is seeing significant growth, and are delivering on this with new ways of experiencing the format within our portfolio, which includes SweeTarts Ropes, Nerds Rope, Laffy Taffy Ropes, and now Lemonhead Ropes. Lemonhead is an iconic brand at Ferrara, known for its mouth-puckering lemon flavor, so it was time to reintroduce the classic candy that consumers love in a modern new format that consumers crave. We know that 10% of consumer households buy rope candies, so there's an opportunity to grow the brand even further with today's generation.
LPK: It was first showcased at the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo - did it take a year to bring the product to fruition?
TA: We first showed Lemonhead Ropes at the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo, then began rolling the product onto shelves starting in January 2025 to preview with fans, as we were planning something big. This summer marks the official nationwide debut, and we're thrilled to introduce it with an interactive campaign as fun and refreshing as the candy itself.
LPK: How do the Ropes tap into current candy trends?
TA: We leverage emerging flavor and format trends, as well as consumers' desire for new and exciting offerings, to drive the innovations we develop. With a brand as iconic as Lemonhead -- known for its mouth-puckering lemon flavor -- we are excited to introduce Lemonhead Ropes, which delivers the same citrusy flavor fans know and love, now in a modern format that candy-lovers crave. We are excited to introduce a new way of experiencing the rope candy format within our portfolio with a refreshing flavor that will stand out in the candy aisle.
LPK: How has the consumer response been so far?
TA: We have seen consumers online express how excited they are for Lemonhead Ropes, with consumers who have tried it saying they love the product.
LPK: What's new for the Lemonhead brand in 2025? I saw at Expo they released a freeze-dried version?
TA: Ferrara teased some exciting innovations at the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo, including Freeze-Dried Lemonhead! We will share more details when we're ready to officially launch.
LPK: Any plans for late 2025/early 2026?
TA: We're excited to continue bringing our fans new ways to enjoy the iconic Lemonhead flavor with future innovations. Stay tuned and follow @reallemonhead on Instagram for updates.