Troyer has been producing quality Amish food since 1959, when owner James Troyer’s father began selling smoked meat and eight types of cheese out of the trunk of his car and basement. The company has grown, evolved, and made acquisitions over the years and now comprises a family of businesses, including Amish Wedding Foods, Troyer Cheese & Deli, Edna Lucille Soaps, Backroad Country Snacks, and more. With products as diverse as pickles and relishes, jams and jellies, and soaps and salsas, Troyer’s 200+ employees serve over 5000 customers in all 48 contiguous United States.
Troyer’s physical growth has also been impressive. After 10 years out of the home basement, the company built its first distribution facility. In 1989 a new distribution center was built and in 1994 this building was expanded. AWF manufacturing was formed. In 2006 a retail store/outlet was opened. A second manufacturing facility was built in Millersburg in 2007. And in 2014, Troyer constructed a new state-of-the-art distribution center, from which they maintain and deploy a fleet of 25 semis that deliver their products all over the country. The team is currently designing another manufacturing facility, which they hope to add in the next two or three years.
Through all of this, Troyer’s relationship with the HCEDC has been helpful and beneficial. The HCEDC helped Troyer Cheese obtain reduced real estate tax obligations under the Enterprise Zone program. James has participated in the HCEDC’s manufacturing tour event, providing a tour of the Amish Wedding Foods facility. The HCEDC has helped facilitate conversations with the county commissioners on the new building project, and has also provided very useful information about wages and benefits in Holmes County, gleaned from an extensive survey of local companies on business infrastructure, in which Troyer participated.
James is very grateful: “The HCEDC creates a great environment for connecting people and resources that need to work together. And they’ve always been responsive, with a quick turnaround, serving area businesses well.”