WOMELSDORF – The Argall Report, a monthly television program hosted by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), takes viewers on a tour of Dieffenbach’s Kettle Chips factory in Berks County this month.
“Dieffenbach’s Potato Chips is a local brand with a global impact,” Argall said. “I think anyone tuning into the program will be amazed how wide of a reach this facility in our own backyard has.”
Dieffenbach’s Kettle Chips was started over 50 years ago by Mark Dieffenbach, a local dairy farmer who started experimenting with kettle chips at a friend’s butcher shop. The demand picked up to the point where he sold the dairy cows and started his potato chip company in a garage where their current facility is located. The third generation company continues to grow its presence both locally and internationally.
According to Dwight Zimmerman, Vice President of Business Development of Dieffenbach’s Kettle Chips, the company currently employs nearly 100 local residents at their Berks County facility.
“We are very strong in Central PA which includes Schuylkill and Berks counties with the Dieffenbach’s brand,” Zimmerman said. “About three years ago, we launched the One Potato Two Potato brand. The emphasis on that brand is on great tasting flavors that are made with high quality non-GMO and gluten free ingredients created for a national audience.”
The One Potato Two Potato brand is available nationally at Starbucks locations across the United States as well as at Whole Foods Market locations in the Mid-Atlantic.
During the tour, Argall learned that it takes 24 hours to turn a potato in a finished bag of potato chips. The factory is able to produce between 2,000 – 2,500 lbs. of potato chips an hour.
In addition to shipping their product across the country, Dieffenbach’s exports products to Canada, England, Japan and Israel.
“Dieffenbach’s continues to grow their business by expanding their product lineup, but I’m pleased to see that if you’re in town, you can get your tin filled with the classic kettle chip based off the recipe that Mark Dieffenbach used to start the successful business back in 1964,” Argall said.
The program will air on:
- Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
- Berks Community Television (Comcast – Channel 15 and Service Electric – Channel 19) on Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday at 6 p.m.
- Comcast On-Demand on Channel 1 – Get Local – Government – State Senate.
- Reading (Channel 21) and Hamburg (Channel 19) every Monday at 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and every Tuesday at 9 a.m.
- The program is available on Shen-Heights TV, Hazleton’s WLYN TV 35 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10. Please check local listings for air times.
Senator Argall’s report is also available online at www.SenatorArgall.com.