The confectionary factory at Kibbutz Geva provides a range of treats for all tastes.
By Janet Mendelsohn Moshe
In his position as Product Developer at Almond Tree (Shkedia) Industries in Kibbutz Geva, Yehuda Chazin has tried dipping all sorts of edible items into chocolate. But the first confectionary produced at the factory was chocolate containing almonds, hence the name given to Geva's successful confectionary company.
Located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, Geva was founded in the early 1900s and, like many other communal settlements at the time, based its economy on agriculture. However, by the 1960s, industrial enterprise became increasingly viable in kibbutzim, as it provided jobs and required little water. In 1965, the kibbutz supplemented its agricultural branches with a successful automation control factory.
In the early 1980s, Kibbutz Geva considered opening a second industry, processing almonds. "We had the largest almond orchard in the country, and realized that we could quadruple our earnings if we did something with the raw almonds," reminisces Chazin.
Born in Geva in 1950, Chazin has not always been in the confectionary business; he actually started out on the other side of milk chocolate. For years he worked in the large kibbutz cowshed, milking and caring for the cows. When he was told about the plans for the new industry, he quickly decided to remove his boots, wash up and join the ranks at the almond factory. "At first we peeled the almonds, and then we also salted and roasted them," he explains. They also processed sunflower seeds, peanuts and pecans. In 1983, the kibbutz sent Chazin to chocolate confectionery courses in southern France and in Germany. He soon discovered that nuts and chocolate make a successful combination, and the factory has never looked back.
Although Almond Tree began by processing almonds, today their chocolate-covered hazelnuts, pecans and cherries have found popularity both at home and abroad. Successful marketing as well as a kashrut certificate has ensured the appearance of Almond Tree confectionary aboard El Al flights as well as in fine hotels around the country. Before the Jewish New Year, Christmas and Easter, the factory works around the clock to provide the local and European markets with enough products to meet increasing demand. "Jordan almonds", nuts with a colored coating of sugar (dragées), are also among the more popular products.
In March 1999, controlling stocks in the company were purchased by the Heinz-Remedia Group. However, Almond Tree has managed to maintain its local flavor and ambience. In addition to members of the kibbutz, workers come from nearby Afula and Beit She'an, as well as from Arab villages.
"Although I don't start working at 3:00 a.m. as I did in the cowshed, our work is still satisfying," smiles Chazin, as he looks out on the pink and white almond blossoms in the kibbutz orchard. "There is a real family feeling."