Categories: Local & Entertainment; Travel & Events

Mysterious World of Food Factory Tours

By Nina
updated 3 months ago

Love to know how potato chips are deep fried? How cocoa is manufactured and made into chocolate? Find answers to these questions and much more in Pennsylvania. Learn how your favorite products are manufactured and sample free products in a number of factory tours around the state.

Introduction

Growing up in York, Pennsylvania, I experienced some of the finer things in life like $2 movie matinees, all-you-can eat buffet restaurants and tours of factories that made just about anything you can think of. My hometown was actually nicknamed the “Factory Tour Capital of the World”. My mother was a big believer in getting your money’s worth (and yes, she did sneak food from the buffet into her purse) so we spent summers touring many of these places and eating as many free samples as we could get. We sometimes went on the tour twice to get extra samples (we told the tour operator that we weren’t listening the first time around). Here’s a list of some factories that offer tours and samples in southern Pennsylvania.

Utz Quality Foods Inc

2424 State Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020

During the Utz tour, visitors will learn about the company’s history and see the manufacturing process from an observation deck. Still hungry for more? Visit the nearby outlet where you can purchase many of the products including Grandma Utz’s potato chips which are still made the old fashion way – deep-fried in lard (I feel the heartattack coming now…).

Wolfgang Candy

50 E 4TH AVE YORK, PA 17404

Tucked away in a working class neighborhood lies Wolfgang Candies. Visitors experience the candy making process (I must confess that it looked like some of the equipment was in need of a good spring cleaning but I guess chocolate even a few weeks old is still good), how candy is packaged and the storage and shipping process. The tour ends with a small bag of chocolates. There is also a candy store and small museum open to visitors. No open-toed shoes or sandals allowed on the tour.

Intercourse Pretzel Factory

3614 Old Philadelphia Par, Intercourse, PA 17534

This is one of only a few pretzel factories in the country to hand twist their pretzels. The 15 minute tour includes viewing of the pretzel making process and visitor’s attempting to twist their own pretzels (which sadly are thrown away since they are considered unsanitary…gee, so what else can’t you do in Intercourse?).

Hershey Chocolate USA

19 E Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033

No trip to Pennsylvania would be complete without a stop at HERSHEY’S WORLD OF CHOCOLATE. A motorized ride whisks visitors on a tour of how cocoa is harvested, processed and manufactured (unfortunately, you are not allowed in the actual facilities) as well as a history of the company. A free sample of chocolate is offered at the end of the tour and then visitor’s are dropped off at the house of candy (I mean gift shop) where you will not leave empty handed.

Naylor Winery

4069 VINEYARD RD STEWARTSTOWN, PA 17363

Every year growing up, we would receive several bottles of Naylor’s as Christmas presents and my family would promptly re-gift it. The Pennsylvania winery has grown up and now produces the best wine in the state (yes, I know it’s still PA wine). Walk through the vineyards, experience the wine making process and if you are old enough, sample the different varieties.

Herr Foods

20 HERR DR NOTTINGHAM, PA 19362

This in-depth tour lasts about an hour and tells about the company history and shows the manufacturing process of potato chips. If you are lucky, you might be able to sample chips right off the press before they are packaged. Like all good tours, this one leads you right to the gift shop.

Martin's Potato Chips

6701 LINCOLN HWY THOMASVILLE, PA 17364

Producing 1.5 million bags of chips monthly, Martin’s offers tours of the manufacturing process and free samples at the end. If you still need to get your chip fix, stop by the outlet and buy a bag of the waffle chips. Tours are available on Tuesdays only (call 1-800-272-4477 for reservations) and no-open shoes are allowed.