Bedré Fine Chocolate is a chocolatier located in Davis, Oklahoma. Founded in the 1980s by local businessman Pete Cantrell, the company was first housed in the former Homer Elementary School near Ada, Oklahoma. The name Bedré is derived from the Norwegian word for “better.”
History
The Chickasaw Nation purchased the company in 2000 and moved Bedré to a new, 26,000 square-foot factory in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, in 2003 where it remained until moving in 2013 to its current location in Davis, Oklahoma.[1][2][3] In October 2011, Bedré broke ground on the current 34,600 square-foot chocolate factory.[4]
Products, retail, and recognition
The company produces chocolates on site with free viewing by visitors. In addition to candy bars, cookies, chocolate-covered popcorn and caramel, the company creates chocolate-covered potato crisps and nut clusters under the moniker “Oklahoma cow patties.” Retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales sell Bedré chocolates in stores across the United States. Bedré creates chocolate guitars for guests at Hard Rock Hotels, and Dylan’s Candy sells it under their own private label. In the past, the convenience store 7-11 distributed the chocolate under the name Watts Farm, and Braum's, a Midwestern dairy company, also sold the chocolate under its own brand name.[5][6]
Bedré is a member of the Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council, and as an Oklahoma manufacturer, is also part of the Made in Oklahoma program. The company earned the internationally recognized ISO 9001 certification in 2009.[7] The Intertribal Agriculture Council’s American Indian Foods program featured the chocolates in Australia in 2009 as part of a showcase of American Indian foods.[8]
References
- ^ "Bedré chocolate plant closes, will reopen in Davis", The Oklahoman, January 13, 2013.
- ^ Bedré Chocolate Factory, TravelOK.com. Accessed October 9, 2013
- ^ Turk, Randall, “Anything tastes bedre with chocolate on it.”, The Ada News, December 12, 2005
- ^ “Chickasaws break ground in Davis for welcome center, factory”, The Ada News, October 19, 2011
- ^ “Oklahoma chocolatier eyes sweeter markets”, The Journal Record, August 23, 2007.
- ^ “Bedré expands client list, launches new product line”, Pauls Valley Democrat, August 23, 2007.
- ^ “Pauls Valley company earns ISO 9001 certification”, The Journal Record, June 8, 2009.
- ^ “Native American food coming to Australia”, Food Magazine, July 10, 2009