Founded in December of 2005, Uncle Don’s is a partnership between Donald Ley of Avilla (then age 72)
and Snyder Distributing North Inc. The inception of Uncle Don’s filled a void created when Tom’s Foods
of Columbus, Georgia filed for federal bankruptcy protection. The loss of Tom’s cookies and its other
well known products, created a large void in the Snyder Distributing North’s vast product line.
Don Ley, a life long resident of Avilla, IN. has been baking cookies for family and friends for more than
25 years. The father of 4 boys and 4 girls, Mr. Ley utilized his baking skills as one of several hobbies
to provide relaxation from his careers of farming and then the head of maintenance for Provena Sacred Heart
Nursing facility in Avilla.
As often happens with many business ventures, the concept of Uncle Don’s Cookies began as an accident. Lamenting during round table discussions the loss of the Tom’s product, a joke about creating our own cookies using the Hometown Food facilities was made. And as they say from there “the rest is history”.
Currently Uncle Don’s creates 11 different kinds of cookies. Featuring their signature SUGAR cookie, and a special formulated CHOCOLATE CHIP cookie, the PEANUT BUTTER and the CHOCOLATE BUTTERFINGER/CHOCOLATE CHIP have become northeast Indiana’s favorite Uncle Don’s cookies. Other delicious recipe cookies include Oatmeal Raisin, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Butter Scotchies, Coated Candy Cookies, Snicker doodles, Peanut Butter Nestle Crunch and a Heath Bar Cookie.
