Editor's note: This is the fourth article in a series describing business and industry located in Grass Run Industrial Park.
By Monty Siekerman
Everyone knows there is yellow and white corn, but there is also blue and red corn. All four speciality varieties are grown by Denny Hensel and his family.
The various colors of corn go into producing Harvest Pride Tortilla Chips at a new facility built in Ada's industrial park.
Hensel and his family farm 1,700 acres of beans and corn about four miles east of Ada along State Route 701. They've done this for five generations.
For 28 years Hensel delivered semi loads of corn to chip factories from Grand Rapids to Washington, D.C. He saw how the chips were produced. He noted what was efficient, what could be automated.
He thought, "I could do that," so he began planning a business to use part of his crop. Truly, the final product reflects the concept "From Farm to Table."
In 2012, Hensel built a large 20,000 square foot building for his operation. Washers, cookers, chip cutters, scales and more had to be made for the operation.
A logo was developed. Packing for the 1-pound sacks and shipping boxes were ordered.
Finally, all was in order. The first chips were bagged last summer. The company offers five kinds: nacho cheese, blue, chili lime (spicy), gaucamole, and ranch.
Harvest Pride is sold at 302 Carryout in Ada, Kibbee's Carryout in Bluffton, as well as several places in Kenton.
Soon, the locally-made chips will be in Community Markets in Ada and Bluffton as well as several Chiefs stores.
Price: $2.99 for a 1-pound bag.
Hensel and his family are on their way to success...and finding a local use for their corn.
Hensel said that the village, C.I.C, and community of Ada have been welcoming and supportive.
Now, its Super Bowl time. Time to sit back and munch on your favorite flavor of Harvest Pride Tortilla Chips while you watch the game (and commercials).
Photos
• It's a family affair.
• Denny Hensel at the scales used at Harvest Pride Tortilla Chips, a new venture in Ada Industrial Park.
• Harvest Pride Tortilla Chips come in five flavors as shown on this sign held by Denny Hensel and daughters Denise and Dawn. It's a family affair. When grandchildren lend a hand, the kids say they are helping with "Pa Pa's chips."
