Utah is rumored, very widely, to be the #1 state for Jello consumption. Why do Mormons like Jello so much and especially Green Jello?

Are you sure it's just the Mormons? I could have sworn that there were more than JUST Mormons in Utah.

Comedian Bill Cosby appeared before a rare joint convention of the Utah State Legislature in 2001 to urge legislators to vote for a resolution that proclaims Jell-O® gelatin the Official Snack of Utah.

Jello as Utah's Official Snack Food. Many Utahns already claim Jell-O gelatin is their state's unofficial snack, so Cosby hopes the legislators will make the designation official, placing Jell-O gelatin alongside the sego lily (the state's official flower) and the blue spruce (the state's official tree).

During his visit, Cosby - who has been the Jell-O spokesperson for more than 25 years - will receive honorary Utah citizenship from Utah Lieutenant Governor Olene Walker. In addition, Walker, on behalf of Governor Leavitt, will announce February 4-10 "Jell-O Week" in Utah.

For years, residents of the Beehive State have had a strong affinity for the wiggly snack. Utah and Jell-O gelatin are so undeniably linked together that Salt Lake Magazine once ran a cover story declaring Utah "The Jell-O State." In addition, a commemorative 2002 Winter Olympic pin featuring a quivering bowl of green gelatin sold out of Utah stores immediately. And some Utah popular culture buffs find it no mere coincidence that Jell-O gelatin was patented just one year after Utah gained statehood.

Not surprisingly, Salt Lake City has traditionally been No. 1 in per capita Jell-O gelatin consumption in the nation. But Salt Lake City fell from the No. 1 position in late 1999 when Des Moines, Iowa slipped past Utah on the Jell-O charts, resulting in front page news stories along the Wasatch Front.

Incensed that Utah was now No. 2, Bambara Restaurant chef, Scott Blackerby, held a "Take Back the Jell-O Title" Recipe Contest at his Salt Lake restaurant, hoping to help Salt Lake City surpass Des Moines. His efforts were successful as Salt Lake City has once again attained No.1 status.

During the time Des Moines sat on top of the Jell-O gelatin charts, Blackerby, Kraft Foods (the makers of Jell-O gelatin), and a handful of Brigham Young University students began grassroots efforts to get Jell-O gelatin named the official snack of Utah. Approximately 15,000 Utahns signed petitions in support of the effort during various events throughout the year.

"Jell-O (gelatin) is as much a part of Utah as the Great Salt Lake, our world famous powder skiing, and our scenic national parks," said Blackerby. "The time has come to officially recognize a food that has brought millions of smiles to Utahns."

If the effort is successful, Jell-O gelatin will stand - or wiggle - proudly next to cherries, Utah's official fruit, and the Rocky Mountain elk, Utah's official animal.

Regardless of the outcome of today's vote, Jell-O will continue to remain No.1 in bringing smiles to Utah.

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