Depending upon which way the wind is blowing one can smell the chips frying away at the Herr’s Potato Chip Factory long before one can see the factory. For kids this only adds to the excitement and anticipation of the trip.
The Herr’s Snack Factory Tour is one of the most visited free tours in the Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Northern Maryland area, especially during the summer months. What can be more fun then to watch this areas most popular maker of snack foods make the snacks and then get to sample fresh hot potato chips right off the line?
After a recent visit to the factory I over heard a visitor state after eating a fresh hot potato chip from the line, “I can cross this off my bucket list” Everyone in line shook their head in agreement and smiled.
The Herr Company began in 1946 when Jim Herr purchased a small potato chip company and started making and selling potato chips door to door around Lancaster, PA. Today the company sells over 340 items in 11 states and is still very much a Herr family operation.
Do to popular demand the Herr’s Company opened its visitors center in 1989 and potato chip lovers began arriving in droves. The tour is so popular advance reservations are recommended, however if one should find themselves in Nottingham, PA., walk-in’s
will be accommodated if there is room. To schedule a tour call 800-284-7488 or go online at www.herrs.com.
The tour takes about 1 hour and begins in Chipper’s Theater where visitors are shown a film documenting the company history. Chipper, an animated chipmunk by Jim Henson’s Puppeteers, and the company’s mascot narrates the film, popping in and out adding interest and humor throughout the film.
After the film visitors are taken on a tour showcasing modern snack technology at its best. Potatoes into fresh hot potatoes in a matter of minutes. Flavored chips were first introduced in 1958 and today Herr’s offers 11 different varieties. Visitors watch as regular chips travel down the line next to barbeque, Old Bay (a Maryland favorite), and the latest introduction sour cream and cheddar.
Herr’s produces a full line of snack items including cheese curls, corn chips, pretzels, and popcorn. The day of our visit we watched as pretzels were being made. Pretzel rods are packed by hand at the factory, and according to our tour guide, Pennsylvanians each more pretzels then any other area in the country.
The Herr’s Factory Snack Tour takes place Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3p.m. and some Fridays from 9 a.m. until 11a.m. Call first on Fridays. They offer group tours, special events and host birthday parties. For further information visit www.herrs.com.
