Visit our factory for a free tour during the St. Joe Pickle Festival!
Tours will be available July 15th-20th, 2024, in conjunction with the St. Joe Pickle Festival, which will run from July 18th-20th, 2024. Tours will be available Monday-Friday from 9 am - 11 am, and 12:30 pm - 3 pm, and on Saturday from 9 am - Noon. Closed-toed shoes and sleeves required. See below.
Learn about the early history of pickle-making in St. Joe and see the original home of Ralph and Anne Sechler, who started the company in 1921 under the name "St. Joe Valley Pickles." Outdoors, you will see many of our pickle storage vats where cucumbers are received and cured. If you're lucky, you may even get to watch as fresh cucumbers are received and dumped into the tanks! Inside the plant, you will watch as pickles are washed, cut, cooked, sweetened, packed, and labelled, all while learning more about the company's history and the time-tested techniques we use daily to produce our many delicious products. After your tour, you will be welcomed into our Showroom, where you can shop our entire selection of products and see even more fun artifacts in our Pickle Museum.
FAQ's
What are the clothing requirements for the tour?
Everyone on the tour must wear shoes that cover the entire foot with no holes (tops, bottoms, toes, heels, and sides), and shirts that cover the shoulders, armpits, and torso. Crocs, sandals, dress shoes that expose the top of the foot, and tank tops are NOT acceptable tour attire. There will be no exceptions. When in doubt: gym shoes and T-shirts are perfect tour attire. Hairnets and beard nets are also required, and will be provided at no charge by Sechler's Pickles.
Why are the clothing requirements so strict?
Our tour guests walk directly through our processing facility, with no separation from the food production areas. The FDA is very strict about food production facilities, and requires that everyone who enters the facility to abide by their clothing requirements, whether they are employees or guests.
How long is the tour?
The tours depart approximately every half hour, and last between 15 and 20 minutes.
Do I need to make a reservation to take a tour?
No reservation is required for small groups, but larger groups (10+ people) are encouraged to contact us either via phone (1-800-332-5461) or by email (showroom@sechlerspickles.com) to let us know how many people you plan on bringing and reserve a spot. Please be aware that if your group has more than 15 people, we will break you into 2 or more small tour groups to make it easier for everyone to see and hear their tour guide. Retirement communities, nursing homes, 4-H Clubs, and other organizations are welcome to make a reservation!
Is the tour handicap accessible?
Yes, the tour and our Showroom are handicap accessible. You are more than welcome to bring walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, or any other mobility device. Please note, however, that there are no places to stop and sit during the tour. Unless you are able to be on your feet walking for the entire duration of the tour, we highly recommend you bring a wheelchair or scooter. There are outdoor benches to sit and rest outside of the facility, but there is no seating available inside our Showroom. Please plan accordingly.
Can I take photos during the tour?
Guests are not permitted to take photos or videos of any kind during the tour. You are welcome to take photos outside of our facility and inside the Showroom.
I suffer from asthma. Will I have issues on the tour?
Between the vinegar, spices, peppers, and other ingredients, many people find that it can be difficult at times to breathe inside the factory. We have found that medical face masks, like the ones used during the COVID pandemic, make it much easier to breathe and recommend you bring one if you think you will need it.
Will there be transportation available between the St. Joe Pickle Festival and Sechler's Pickle Factory?
There will be a free shuttle bus that will transport you from the St. Joe Pickle Festival to our factory for tours on Saturday, July 20th, from 9 am - 11:30 am. The shuttle will run continuously throughout the morning, but will make its final drop-off at the Pickle Festival at Noon, so please plan accordingly if you plan to shop in our Showroom after your tour.