Recently, OK Kosher Certification and Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group treated a group of young adults with special needs to an exciting tour of the largest Snapple production facility located in Carteret, New Jersey. The group, from Kinor Dovid & Kinor Malka (divisions of Harmony Services – a yeshiva day-hab program for high functioning developmentally delayed men and women) enjoyed an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Snapple production.
The tour, led by Plant Manager Saul Cruz, covered the production process and a question and answer session. Mr. Cruz really went out of his way to welcome the group and patiently explained how Snapple products are made. Rabbi Chaim Fogelman (Director of Education and Public Relations at the OK/Kosher Spirit), who accompanied the group, commented that Mr. Cruz is meticulous and committed to the kosher program at Snapple. Mr. Cruz’s attention and devotion to the group was tremendously appreciated. Cruz told participants about the origin of Snapple: “It was started by two guys in Long Island…They made a carbonated apple drink and they called it Snappy-Apple.” Cruz also informed participants that about 50 trucks of Snapple products from the plant are bound for Brooklyn every day and 2.4 million Snapple bottles are produced in the plant every day!
Rabbi Shloimy Rosenberg of Harmony Services said of the tour, “We go on many trips during the year and this one was definitely on the top of our list… The feeling of you accompanying us and treating us as important guests will remain with us for a long time.” Special thanks to Yossi Pels, Executive Account Manager at the OK, and to Yechiel Hirth from Harmony Services for arranging such an exclusive tour and to Sharon Liberta from Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group for coordinating the arrangements.