Owners of mobile food truck happy to still be in business after turbulent year
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POCATELLO — After a year of unexpected setbacks, the Herron family is determined to begin 2025 on a brighter note.
The Pocatello family own Woodland Orchards at 1580 Yellowstone Avenue, which offers a variety of gourmet caramel apples, pretzels, popcorn, and other treats.
On January 3, a devastating fire destroyed their home and the attached apple kitchen where their popular treats were made. The blaze caused an estimated $3,000 damage to chocolate and commercial equipment.
“We’ve basically started over,” Owner Janna Herron says. “We’re so ready to move back into our home after months of living in a temporary rental. I’ll be so glad to have my apple kitchen back.”
But the challenges didn’t end there. On September 10, an impaired driver swerved across lanes of traffic, mounted the sidewalk, and crashed into the caramel apple cottage, knocking it over and causing extensive damage.
Despite these setbacks, the Herron family has found a way to keep the business running, using their apple van — typically reserved for fairs and events — as their primary means of serving customers. The family has continued to show up every Saturday at their original location.
“It’s been tough preparing treats in a temporary rental kitchen and juggling events with the apple van, but we’re making it work,” Herron explained. “People are curious about the cottage. Rebuilding it has been a long process, especially dealing with the insurance from both the driver’s and our own insurance.”
As they look to the future, the Herrons are hopeful that 2025 will bring them the stability and success they’ve worked so hard for.
In the meantime, they’ll be at the apple van, ready to spread some holiday cheer.
“It’s been a fun experience working with SnapTight Products in Pocatello to create a new cottage for us,” Herron shared. “They’re building it with a combination of styrofoam, metal, and wood — something sturdy and unique.”
Herron is grateful for the community’s unwavering support since the business started in 2018.
After suffering severe injuries in a work accident, Herron began making and selling caramel apples to help pay her mounting hospital bills. What started as a necessity blossomed into Woodland Orchards
“I try to stay positive. We’ve had so many good things come from all this stuff. Blessings and miracles have been seen for sure,” Herron said. “I love and appreciate this community so much. It really does make a difference when people choose to support a local, family-owned business.”
Woodland Orchards offers 16 flavors of caramel apples made fresh year-round and a selection of seasonal varieties. Bestsellers include apple pie and caramel cashew.
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In addition to caramel apples, Herron creates a wide range of other goodies, including caramel-chocolate cinnamon bears, homemade wrapped caramels, caramel pretzel logs, turtle clusters, caramel popcorn, caramel bear claws, and cake pops.
“We’ve got a full stock today at the apple van at our cottage location, so it’s the perfect time to pick up gifts for your neighbors and friends,” Herron said. “We’re open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and we even have a drive-thru available for convenience.”
For those who have not tried Woodland Orchards’ treats, Herron often posts on Facebook about her Saturday openings. The business takes special orders for weddings, events, and other celebrations.
For more information and a complete menu, visit the Woodland Orchards Facebook page or call (208) 681-9201 to place a special order.