Bedford, PA – Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Acting Secretary Neil Weaver today celebrated the success of Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry and helped break ground for The Organic Snack Company’s expansion in Bedford.

“Any time a Pennsylvania-based company is able to expand their operations, it is a win for all of us,” said Sec. Weaver. “Manufacturing is one of the commonwealth’s biggest industries and I am thrilled to see The Organic Snack Company thriving. Congratulations to the company for this expansion and their continued success here in Pennsylvania.”

The Organic Snack Co. is the exclusive manufacturer for all Kate’s Real Food products, a USDA-certified organic producer of whole food energy bars. In 2018, the company received a $2.7 million funding proposal from the Governor’s Action Team and since then, has found continued success in Pennsylvania.

Manufacturing has always been the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, and Food Processing and Manufacturing makes up the largest manufacturing cluster in the commonwealth. The Wolf Administration has built upon the success of the industry in Pennsylvania by prioritizing job creation in the sector.

According to a new annual report by the Governor’s Action Team for 2020-2021, Gov. Wolf invested $8.6 million to secure 1,181 manufacturing jobs in the central Pennsylvania region last year. This investment also garnered a $1.2 billion investment in local communities.

“Since recruiting The Organic Snack Company to Bedford County in 2019, we’ve had a ringside seat watching demand for Kate’s bars skyrocket across the country,” said Bette Slayton, president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association. “This expansion is great news for our workforce and community. TOSC is also a tremendous fit for region, which is famous for our outdoor lifestyle.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter of growth for The Organic Snack Company,” said Mark Thaler, CEO of The Organic Snack Company. “Since we opened our doors in March of 2020, the Bedford community has welcomed us with open arms, and we couldn’t be happier to invest more back into this location that has facilitated our explosive expansion. We look forward to continued success for The Organic Snack Company, Kate’s Real Food, and in our mission of spreading the word on the benefits of outdoor play and organic food.”

The Organic Snack Co. is a privately held premium food manufacturing company. The company is the exclusive manufacturer for all Kate’s Real Food products, which can be found at national retailers like REI, Amazon, and Backcountry.com, as well as regionally at Sheetz, Whole Foods, and many others.

Gov. Wolf has served for two terms as a leader consistently at work for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the commonwealth’s comeback, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.

For more information about the Governor’s Action Team or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Penny Ickes, DCED, dcedpress@pa.gov

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