NEW ROADS — For more than a century, Bergeron's Pecans has been a staple in Pointe Coupee Parish, proudly producing one of Louisiana's favorite nuts. The family-run operation, established in 1909, is now in its third generation, with Andre Bergeron overseeing a process that blends tradition and modern efficiency.

Inside the busy facility, large bags of pecans are waiting to be sorted by size.

"Right now we're getting a lot of these Elliotts… they're just starting to come in, you see," says Bergeron.

He's referring to one of the most popular varieties in the region. The pecans are picked commercially from the orchards around Pointe Coupee and surrounding areas, then unloaded, weighed and bought by the pound before their journey through the production line begins.

Behind the scenes, the atmosphere is loud and energetic. Pecans are sorted by size, washed, cracked and shelled by specialized machines.

"All these slots are different sizes," Bergeron explains, as the nuts move down the line and fall into bins according to their grade.

After a thorough wash, the pecans are dried to ensure shelf life.

During the busy season, Bergeron's moves about 40,000 pounds of pecans daily. It's a far cry from the days when the family and their neighbors would crack and shell each pecan by hand after hours, earning a little extra money before the process became mechanized.

The 400 acres behind the facility are home not only to pecan trees, but to cattle. However, business hasn't been without its challenges. Hurricane Gustav devastated much of the orchard, reducing the annual harvest from 250,000 pounds to about 60,000 pounds of pecans. To make up the difference, Bergeron sources nuts from other local growers, some of whom have been working with the business for decades.

Sam Ringo, a grower from Torbert, has brought his harvest to Bergeron's for 40 years. Ringo notes that he has seen challenges with his yield this year.

"Irregular weather, not getting the rain we should get," Ringo said.

Still, the Bergeron family remains resilient, working with whatever the season provides to meet demand around the state and the nation.

Bergeron's Pecans can be found in grocery stores across the United States, a testament to the enduring legacy of a Louisiana tradition.