The Hudson Bread factory on Tonnelle Avenue has set its sights on not only producing 40,000 loaves a day, but opening its doors for the community to see that process. They also want to make their new gymnasium available to the town’s kids after school and on weekends.
The wholesale bread company, which distributes its products throughout the tri-state area, recently began holding factory tours for pre-K students from North Bergen and elsewhere. They are building a full-facility gymnasium behind the bakery, and company president Mariusz Kolodziej has said he wants to let area kids use it as part of a physical fitness program when it is completed.
“He’s just one of those people,” Office Manager Christine Scott said last week of her boss’s generosity.
Vice President Raymond Million hosted a tour of the Hudson Bread facilities on April 24 for a Palisade Park Pre-K class. He said that the bakery has held about eight tours thus far.
“I think one of things, especially in this day and age of fast food and processed ingredients, it gives children the opportunity to know that food is made in a certain way, and it’s an education of where food comes from,” said Million.
Baking bread
The 3-year-olds taking the tour seemed impressed. They saw dough rising, how the bread was baked, and even where it was packed and distributed. Each student took home a t-shirt and a bag of different loafs of bread.
Hudson Bread provides the field trips free of charge. Scott said any school or organization is welcome to take a tour.
“I don’t think that people are aware,” said Scott. “Nobody would actually think that you can come in and do this.”
Scott said that she could see the excitement in the students’ faces. She said when she first came to Hudson Bread for her job interview, she had the same look on her face.
Pre-K Teacher Jessica McKenna said that it was good for students to know the process of how things work within their communities.
“I like seeing the whole process [of the baking] and they get to see the back scene of where everything is,” said McKenna.
Million said that sometimes when you do something every day, you’re sometimes not as enthusiastic as you originally were, but seeing the excitement in the students revives him.
“One child asked me how many loaves do you make in a day.” – Raymond Million
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“One child asked me how many loaves do you make in a day,” said Million. When he responded with 40,000, the child responded with, “Wow; that’s a big number.”
Second chances
Million said that Kolodziej is “strongly devoted” to giving people second chances and opportunities, and that’s the same ideal they hope execute with their community outreach program.
Million said the company wants to begin the physical fitness outreach program in six months, but are currently in the midst of gym construction and seeking other associations to take part in the task.
“Basically in our location, there are many opportunities that children are passed up [for], due to economic levels and things like that,” said Million. “It’s good to see a change, to bring a young person in and show then another way and have a support system created.”
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.