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Home/Northshore/Ponchatoula’s Valentine Chocolate from Elmer
red heart shaped boxes of chocolate from Elmer Candy in Ponchatoula

Ponchatoula’s Valentine Chocolate from Elmer

Those heart-shaped boxes of Elmer chocolate that will be given to sweethearts this Valentines Day got their start in the small southeast Louisiana city of Ponchatoula.

gloved hands package Valentine candy at Elmer Chocolate in Ponchatoula Louisiana
The Final Step – Elmer chocolates packaged for Valentines

The production line rolls out more than three million pieces of chocolate candy each day for distribution across the country. Elmer Chocolate’s manufacturing plant in Ponchatoula is a major supplier of seasonal chocolates. You’ve probably received one of their heart-shaped boxes of chocolates as a gift, or tasted their popular heavenly hash and gold brick eggs.

robotic arms load chocolate candy into heart shaped trays at Elmer Chocolate in Ponchatoula
Robotic arms load Elmer chocolates at a dizzying pace

chocolate making goes high tech

The company recently underwent a 43-million dollar modernization of its Ponchatoula factory. That has allowed the candy-maker to ramp up its production to nearly 50-million boxes of cholate a year. The production line churns out 400 boxes every minute. Today’s increased volume is done without the candy being touched by human hands. Huge vessels cook the caramel and cream fillings. Machines insert those mixtures into chocolate shells.

Watch how millions of chocolate heart candy is produced at Elmer Chocolate

The manufacturing upgrades help improve food safety and efficiency, according to the owners of Elmer Chocolate. The goal is to turn out pieces of chocolate that are shiny and untouched with no scratches. Elmer President Robert Nelson says it’s a great presentation that makes people feel special.

a Brief history of elmer chocolate

old photo of Elmer Chocolate Company in New Orleans
The early days – Elmer Chocolate Company Store in New Orleans

Elmer Chocolate Company began with Christopher Henry Miller, who immigrated to the United State from Germany in 1845. After working as a pastry chef, Miller opened Miller Candy Company in New Orleans in 1855. The name Elmer comes from Miller’s son-in-law, who joined the family candy-making business. The company name changed to Elmer after Miller’s death in 1902. Today’s owners, brothers Robert and Michael Nelson, are third-generation candy-makers. Their grandfather bought the business in 1963.

The Elmer Chocolate Company does not offer tours of its Ponchatoula operations.

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        January 20, 2021
        Thoughts:
        2 Comments

        Categories: Featured, Northshore

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Mary Thompson

          February 11, 2021 at 10:28 pm

          Lived in Ponchy,and always ate Elmer’s chocolates.Valentine and Easter would not be the same with your delicious candy.
          A box of chocolates from y’all made my Christmas special!
          So happy you are still in business,we have lost so many dear places that mean home to all La. residents.

          God bless you and all who maker Elmer chocolates!!!

          Reply
        2. Beverly Deviet

          November 17, 2021 at 11:03 am

          Thank you for spotlighting Ponchatoula. It’s a mecca for special people who bring their talents and time to a creative crescendo! From Elmers chocolates to the Strawberry Festival and now to Twin Steeples!

          Reply

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