For those of you unfamiliar with Herr's history, it all began back in 1946 when a young man named James Herr bought a small potato chip company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the age of 21. For the purchase price of $1,750, Jim Herr received in return two iron kettles, a potato slicer and peeler, and a 1938 Dodge panel truck. Today, over half a century and many challenges later, Herr's Potato Chips, now known as Herr Foods, Inc., is the third largest snack food company in the United States.

Herr's Foods currently posts annual sales of $125 million and distributes its products to 10 states throughout the Northeast. The company employs more than 1,000 people, operates nearly 400 sales routes, and has 22 warehouse facilities located outside of Nottingham. And what's most interesting is that to this day, Herr's Foods is still owned and operated by Jim Herr and the Herr family.

Following the video presentation, visitors are led into the highly automated factory through windowed corridors from which they can observe first hand, the production and packaging of various Herr's products. One of the highlights of the factory tour is the panoramic view of the potato chip production and packaging area where guests can watch raw potatoes go through a series of high-tech machines where they are washed, peeled, sliced, cooked, seasoned and then bagged, boxed and prepared for delivery. Before leaving this area, visitors are given a sample of freshly made, warm potato chips scooped right off the moving conveyor belt. Herr's produces 8,000 pounds of potato chips per hour and is currently increasing its production capabilities in order to keep up with the demand for these delectable treats.

Other snacks visitors can observe being produced and packaged during the tour include onion rings, corn chips, pretzels, popcorn and cheese curls. Herr's produces 3,700 pounds of pretzels per hour, 3,500 pounds of corn chips or tortilla chips per hour, and approximately 1,000 pounds of popcorn or cheese curls per hour. Not every Herr's snack is produced everyday, however, so visitors who are interested in a certain snack in particular should call ahead for the production schedule for the day of their visit.

At the end of the tour, guests return back to the Visitors Center where they receive a free packaged snack. They are then free to visit the snack bar for a quick bite or to shop in the well stocked gift shop where they will find a plethora of items including tantalizing snacks and other food products, Herr's clothing items, books, jewelry and a variety of toys.

The Visitors Center is open to the public all year (except major holidays), 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. The free, hour-long tour, runs on the hour from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Fridays. It is recommended, especially during the summer months, that visitors call or visit Herr's web site to schedule a tour time. The tour is handicapped accessible and group tours are also available. For more information regarding Herr's, call 1-800-63-SNACK or visit Herr's web site at www.herrs.com.

DIRECTIONS (via the Pennsylvania Turnpike):

From Harrisburg and other locations in the west, take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) East to Exit 19/Harrisburg East. From there, take Route 283 East to Route 30 East to Lancaster's Route 272 South exit. Continue on Route 272 South to the village of Nottingham. After crossing over Route 1, turn right into Herr Drive and follow signs to the Herr's Visitor Center.

From Philadelphia and other locations in the east, take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) West to Exit 21/Reading. From there, take Route 222 South to Route 272 South. Continue on Route 272 South to the village of Nottingham. After crossing over Route 1, turn right into Herr Drive and follow signs to the Herr's Visitor Center.