Search Contact Us News About Us Products Quality Capabilities Our Brand Our History In 1972, Joseph and Pauline Swiatkowski and their son George began distributing fine cheeses and smoked sausages on a small scale, always striving to provide customers with premium products at an affordable price. As the Akron, Ohio-based business grew, under the leadership of their son George, the company changed focus and began roasting nuts. In 2003, George passed away suddenly, leaving the business in the hands of his wife Darlene and their sons, Joe and Mike, both only in their twenties at the time. Although personally it was a difficult time, the three Swiatkowskis bonded over the business and grew closer than ever as they began to build Hickory Harvest into what it is today – a successful snack provider with annual double digit growth, nearly 100 employees, in-house packaging and manufacturing options, and 250+ high-quality snack varieties. Hickory Harvest Through the Years At Hickory Harvest, we’re always striving for innovation, looking for ways to improve our process and develop even more tasty, on-trend products. Here are some of our highlights along the way: 1972 Began selling smoked sausages and cheeses through state and county fairs throughout Ohio, as well as mail-order business and shipping and distribution to local stores. late 1970 Opened a physical location selling cheeses, sausages, and wine. 1980s Started oil roasting nuts, now Hickory Harvest's signature product line. Also expanded our product offerings to include candies, confections and dried fruits. 1988 Moved to a large space on Killian Road 1990s Expanded customer base by selling packaged products to local grocery accounts and national truck/travel chains. 2003 Darlene Swiatkowski became CEO, Joe Swiatkowski was named president and Mike Swiatkowski was named VP of sales. 2006 Purchased I.M. Good Snacks in Canton, Ohio, to grow our customer base and packaging options. 2009 Built a new, state-of-the art food processing facility in Akron, Ohio, to expand our production capabilities and improve operations. 2012 Named top growth manufacturer in the region at 2012 Cascade Capital Growth Awards (Northeast Ohio), an award we then received four years in a row. 2014 Earned SQF Level 2 certification, one of the highest certifications of food safety in the industry. Also started a partnership of chocolate making called the American Confections Company. 2017 Completed a second building renovation to expand our footprint to include a 17,000 square-foot manufacturing facility with new enrobing and panning capabilities. 2018 In 2018 Mike, with the blessing of the company and family, ventured out on his own with the formation of a bulk distribution company. 2020 Joe acquired the company Hickory Harvest plans to continue to build on our reputation for high-quality, great-tasting products with roll-your-sleeves-up, get-the-job-done service. Contact us to learn how. Hickory Harvest Foods | 90 Logan Parkway, Akron, OH 44319 800-448-NUTS (6887) © 2021 Hickory Harvest Foods. All rights reserved. Employment Application