Uwishunu.com

Tweet

 

At the Herr's Snack Factory (all photos by M. McClellan for GPTMC)

Herr’s Snacks are ubiquitous in the Philadelphia area, so much so that when I think potato chips, I think Herr’s. Recently, several of us from uwishunu HQ had the chance to drive out to the Herr’s Snack Factory in Nottingham, PA and see how all their chips, pretzels and other snack mixes are made.

The first thing you should know is that this tour wasn’t exclusive to us. Monday through Friday (they’re not open weekends), anyone is welcome to visit the factory and see how their favorite snacks are made. If you grew up in this area, you may have gone on the tour as a kid. They have a number of informed and helpful tour guides who will happily take you through the viewing areas and explain just how it is that they can bake up to 4,000 pounds of pretzels per hour.

Another thing you’ll discover while on the tour is the deep level of commitment that Herr’s has to running an efficient and green factory. They capture the heat that escapes from the frying process and re-channel it into the facility. All the oil used during frying is recycled and any waste product is gathered and taken to the Herr Farm, where it is incorporated into the feed of the livestock. Additionally, they are diligent about sourcing their ingredients as close to home as is possible.

One of the more delightful aspects of the tour occurs outside the potato chip room. Once you’ve seen all there is to see, your tour guide will don a hair net, dash into the room with a cardboard tray and come out with a generous portion of the freshest potato chips you’ll ever taste. The day we were there they were making the ripple cut chips and wow, were they good.

To see more photos from our trip to the Snack Factory, make sure to check out the slideshow after the jump.

Herr’s Snack Factory
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (production is typically slower on Fridays)
20 Herr Drive, Nottingham, PA
Tour reservation line: 1-800-63-SNACK
herrs.com