by Abigail Luftig

Created on: March 04, 2009

As if a theme park, a school, a research center, two hotels, a golf course, a hospital and a school weren't enough to solidify Hershey's place in the local community, the chocolate conglomerate can now boast a new offering: a coffee house. The third installment of the Cocoa Beanery opened in Hummelstown in July 2008, and the sense of community is clear from the moment you arrive. In warmer months, the outdoor patios offer a nice place to rest and relax while enjoying the nice summer weather. There is even a watering hole of sorts, where customers can bring their canine companions for a cool sip of eco-friendly water. Inside, the warm interior boasts complementary Wi-Fi and conference space for business and team meetings.

However, Cocoa Beanery's commitment to community does not end locally. Acting on the philosophy of 'think global, act local', Cocoa Beanery strives to be both green and supportive to local suppliers. "We're considered a green company. Everything we use here is organic-friendly and bio-degradable. When Hershey's decided to open the Beanery, knowing the way things are going with green living and trying to be environmentally responsible, they knew going into this project that they wanted to focus on health and being environmentally aware," explains Hershey's media contact Megan Adair. Manager Donna Fair ensures that all the fruit served at the Beanery has a local source whenever possible. All their baking (danishes, muffins, cakes, & pies) are done on the premises, as explained by Fair, "We do some baking here. We bake our own muffins. We do home-baked stuff; sometimes you'll come in and you'll see an apple pie or a chocolate cake, and we made that here. We make our own cookies and our biscotti are homemade." Of course, as reflected in the name, the Cocoa Beanery offers a wide range of coffees. But don't expect Reese's lattes any time soon: "We only have brewed coffees, we don't have flavored coffees. Our coffees here have different origin countries; they have different blends and different strengths depending on where their beans are grown," says Fair.

But it's not just sweets and coffee being offered at the Cocoa Beanery. They also offer salads such as the Englewood Farm (which features mixed greens, olives, red onions, goat cheese and grilled chicken), sandwiches (such as turkey and provolone, roasted apple and goat cheese, and shrimp salad on a croissant) and a rotating arrangement of Soup of the Day. There are combinations available in the form of Nature's Best ( sandwich and salad or soup), Health Combo ( salad and soup) and Salad Trio (a combination of chicken, tuna and shrimp salad with walnut raisin bread).

So if you're looking to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, good coffee, homemade goodies and wholesome foods while knowing you're helping to make the world a better place, the Cocoa Beanery in Hummelstown is the place to be! More resources

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