WEST NOTTINGHAM When America sits down to watch football Sunday they will have a supply of favorite snacks on hand.
Wherever there are Super Bowl parties there are likely to be snack foods, and that makes this a big season for snack manufacture Herr Foods Inc.
It is a great time for snacks. Its not our biggest sales week of the year, but one of the top five, said Herrs President Ed Herr. He explains that Memorial Day is their biggest holiday when people mark the occasion with barbecues and picnics.
For football playoffs and championship games, snack foods are a must.
When people are watching the Super Bowl or a playoff game, they invite their friends to join them. Its an event you invite your friends over to share and you have food, Herr said. People who are sports enthusiasts love snacks.
Indoor parties for sports fans include more dipping.
The biggest selling Herrs products this weekend will be their original favorite potato chips and rippled chips in the familiar blue and red bags. Also near the top of the list will be nacho chips and kettle chips both extra sturdy for dipping.
Herrs introduced their Kettle Chips about six years ago and they have increased in popularity to the point where they are now a $35 million annual seller.
Kettle chips are made the old-fashioned way, Herr explained that they are cooked slower and at a lower temperature which gives them more body and results in less breakage. We actually have a rippled kettle chip this year.
Herrs has home field advantage with Super Bowl XLVI. Herrs products are available in New York Giants territory and into the New England area where Patriots fans will be snacking during the championships. Nevertheless, people in the Philadelphia region seem to be the most fond of snacks.
What makes a big difference for us is if the Eagles are in the game, Herr said. We sell a lot of snacks no matter who is in the Super Bowl. Football is the biggest sport for us.
To meet the increased demand at this time of year, Herrs West Nottingham factory is running overnight shifts to keep production going 24 hours a day. When the factory is running full time, they will be turning out 6 tons of potato chips every hour. That doesnt count the tortilla chips, cheese curls and popcorn, Herr said.
Herrs has a second plant in Ohio, and they are increasing production, too. And to match all of the chips, Herrs sales are also up for their dips and salsa.
In addition to adding extra shifts at the factory, Herrs is also making extra deliveries.
One of the things we have to do Super Bowl weekend is pack out, Herr said, explaining that Herr has their own staff place their product on stores shelves. Our products are merchandised by our own people.
The increased demand for Herrs products means that the turnover is faster than usual. Theres so many people shopping it makes the product extra fresh, he said.
To inspire anyone preparing for a Super Bowl party, Herrs has a variety of tasty recipes for appetizers, entrees, desserts and snacks on their website at www.herrs.com
As for Ed Herr, he is planning on watching the game with plenty of family, friends and snacks.
I have family night on Sunday. With seven kids and 11 grandkids, whoever can make it will come over. Its going to be fun.