Kerber's Dairy
Take the finest ingredients,
blend in a touch of creativity, and you
have Kerber's Ice Cream!
Summer is not complete without a taste of farm
fresh ice cream from Kerber's Dairy. But there is no season when
Kerber's creative flair is out of style, with flavors ranging from
Chocolate Brownie Fudge and French Silk to autumn favorites like
Pumpkin, Granny's Carmel Apple, and Eggnog. Over 90 flavors
throughout the year make each season special.
This year, Kerber's Dairy makes it even easier to enjoy their
exceptional flavors by opening a franchise store on Barnes Lake
Road, just off Route 30 in North Huntingdon. The new store opened
April 1, 2003, and has enjoyed a brisk business from customers who
appreciate Kerber's locally produced, quality dairy products, from
whole and skim milk to sour cream, ice cream, buttermilk, and French
Onion Dip.
If you're not familiar with Kerber's Dairy, the original opened in
1961 on Guffy Road in North Huntingdon, a scenic location
overlooking the hills and fields of the old Kerber's family farm.
The main store and production facilities are still there, though the
operation moved to a new building in 1991 as the demand for Kerber's
products grew.
"The Kerber family has been in the area since 1942," said Tom Kerber,
Sr. "Originally, my dad raised and boarded horses, and trained
people to ride. As that business faded, we switched to dairy cattle
and started milking. We pasteurized and bottled milk and began
selling dairy products. Our flair for ice cream didn't have its
start until 1980. As the demand for low-fat milk took off, we found
ourselves with a lot of cream to market. What better way to use
fresh cream than by making ice cream and adding some fresh fruit,
chocolate, peanut butter, or nuts?" At any one time, Kerber's has
approximately 35 flavors on hand.
Kerber's main store on Guffy Road is more than just ice cream. Open
year round (except Christmas day), Kerber's serves a hot, buffet
style lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Kerber's Deli features the
highest quality meats and cheeses, sliced to order, as well as
Kerber's own delicious ham salad. Breakfast items and baked goods
are popular, as are Kerber's custom-decorated ice cream cakes, ready
for any occasion from birthdays to holidays. And where else but
Kerber's could you find a summer treat for your favorite pooch?
Kerber's doggie treats feature two dog biscuits around a center of
Kerber's delicious vanilla ice cream.
The main store is also where Kerber's fine dairy products are
produced, where the milk, ice cream, and other great products are
processed daily in the ultra-clean, stainless steel facilities right
on the premises.
"One full day's production is devoted to iced-tea," explained Tom
Kerber, Sr. "Regular, diet, green tea, peach tea, and raspberry tea.
Tea is a big item these days and we package everything from 16 ounce
containers to quarts and half gallons."
A perfect stop for the family this summer, Kerber's on Guffy road is
a relaxing place to visit. Kerber's colorful Lilliput Playground,
overlooking the fields, is a favorite with kids, and in the summer
and early Fall, kids of all ages enjoy Kerber's Petting Zoo. Llamas
are often seen in the fields right next to the store. Hot summer
evenings are a great time to enjoy your favorite ice cream from
Kerber's patio or pavilion as the sun drops in golden colors behind
the rolling hills.
Events at Kerber's include an annual Classic Car Cruise, presented
by Kerber's and the Norwin Chamber of Commerce in late September.
This year the date is Sunday, September 28th. There will be drawings
and door prizes, a parts flea market, and hayrides through the
pumpkin fields. Of course, not to be missed are the motorcycles, hot
rods, and antique and custom cars. (There is a registration fee of
$5. Please call the Norwin Chamber of Commerce at 724-863-0888 for
more information.)
The Classic Car Cruise serves as a kick off for Kerber's Pumpkin
Days festival in October, when corn stalks, hay bales, and pumpkins
abound. Kerber's weekend hayrides draw parents, children, and school
groups from all over.
"Build the product first, then the customers will be your best
advertisement," concluded Tom Kerber, Sr. "We've won national awards
and have been featured in Rick Sebak's Pittsburgh documentaries, but
what brings people back is our quality. We have fun doing our best,
and our customers enjoy the quality that comes from that."
One unadvertised, but well-known, tradition is Kerber's give away of
free ice-cream cones to moms on Mother's Day each year. (Shhh! You
didn't hear it from us.)
You can also find Kerber's products at Scozio's Shop 'n Save in both
the Hills Shopping Center and the Oak Park Mall, White Oak, as well
as Scozio's Festival at 2000 Penny Lane, Jeannette. There is also
Schramm's Farm and Orchards at 1002 Blank Road, Jeannette, and the
Sparkle Market at Norwin Towne Square, North Huntingdon. Ice cream
and gift certificates can be purchased on-line from Kerber's
website. Although expensive to ship ($45 per two half/gallon order),
recent orders have gone as far as Connecticut, Florida, and
California.
Don't miss out this summer. Make time for yourself and your family
to visit Kerber's Dairy, or the new Kerber's Ice Cream on Route 30.
You'll enjoy a taste of summer's best, and don't forget to take home
a half-gallon or two of your favorite flavors! For more information
about Kerber's, visit their website at
www.KerberDairy.com.
Farm fresh milk, premium dairy products,
ice cream, and more,-- for over 40 years.
Kerber's Dairy at Guffy Road (724) 863-6930;
or the Route 30 store at (724) 861-6662.