"Sabra Dipping Company, LLC has broken ground on an expansion of the world’s largest hummus-making facility in Chesterfield County, VA. The 40,000-square-foot expansion will enable Sabra to expedite product delivery to retail, which means getting freshly-made hummus into consumer hands and homes sooner," the Facility Executive Magazine says.

"The new addition more than doubles Sabra’s finished goods storage capacity, lays the groundwork for future packaging customization capabilities, and will result in an improved carbon footprint. Sabra expects to add 12 full-time positions upon completion of the expansion, which will be designed to maintain Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification program.

"The expansion will significantly improve the operation’s efficiencies and increase cold storage capabilities while decreasing Sabra’s carbon footprint by enabling freshly packaged product to get to stores and to consumers more quickly. The expanded facility will also provide the framework for future productivity projects and innovations. Sabra has contracted with the Tippmann Group, which specializes in the design of multi-temperature facilities for the food industry."

"Hummus, also spelled hommus or houmous, is a Middle Eastern dip, spread, or savory dish made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. The standard garnish in the Middle East includes olive oil, a few whole chickpeas, parsley, and paprika.

"The earliest mention of Hummus comes from Syria, in a 13th-century cookbook attributed to the Aleppine historian Ibn al-Adim.

"Popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, it is usually eaten as a dip, with pita bread. In the West, it is now produced industrially, and is often served as a snack or appetizer with crackers or vegetables."  (Wikipedia)

"In 2006, hummus was present in 12 percent of American households, rising to 17 percent by early 2009. One commentator attributed the growth of hummus to America's embrace of ethnic and exotic foods.

"While in 2006–08 when some 15 million Americans consumed hummus, and annual national sales were about $5 million, sales growth in 2016 was reflected by an estimated 25% of US households consuming hummus. By 2016, the leading American hummus manufacturer, Sabra Dipping Company, held a 62% market share for hummus sales in the United States, and was forecast to exceed $1 billion in sales in 2017.

"To meet the rising consumer demand for hummus, American farmers increased their production of chickpeas four-fold since 2009, harvesting more than 100,000,000 pounds (45,000,000 kg) in 2015, an increase from 25,000,000 pounds (11,000,000 kg) in 2009. Hummus consumption has been so popular that many tobacco farmers have switched to growing chickpeas to meet demand."  (Wikipedia)

"Sabra Dipping Company, LLC, produces the top-selling hummus in the United States. A joint venture between PepsiCo and Strauss Group, the company was founded in Queens, N.Y., in 1986 and has become a leader in the refrigerated dips and spreads industry. All of its products are certified kosher and vegetarian and its signature hummus, sold across the country, is produced exclusively in Virginia," the Virginia Economic Development Partnership says.

"Sabra opened its facility at Ruffin Mill Industrial Park in Chesterfield County in 2010 with nearly 131,000 square feet and expanded in 2013, 2014, and 2018, representing a total investment of $250 million and employing over 700 people. Encompassing more than 250,000 square feet on 49 acres, the plant has earned both Gold and Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification program and is the largest hummus-making facility in the world.

"In 2018, Sabra broke ground on its third expansion, adding 40,000 square feet to the Chesterfield County plant for new cold storage space and more than doubling its finished goods storage capacity. The expansion also provided space for future packaging customization capabilities."

"To meet rapid growth in the hummus and chilled dips sector, Sabra enlisted Dennis Group to provide full design-build services for the world’s largest hummus facility," the Dennis Group says.

" Named “Food Plant of the Year” by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine:

• The initial facility was 120,000 SF which included a 40,000 SF finished goods distribution center – a 100,000 SF expansion was added later in less than 14 months from concept to commissioning.
• Dennis Group took a highly manual operation in Sabra’s former location in Astoria, New York and transformed it into a fully-automated operation giving Sabra a more than 200 percent capacity increase.
• A custom integrated CIP system ensures the product is never exposed to the manufacturing environment and that the finished product is not handled until it has been hermetically sealed.
• The project attained LEED Gold and LEED Silver Certifications for energy savings, environmental impact and sustainability.
• A massive water collection system allows for the reuse of 500,000 gallons of rain and process water each year
• Low VOC levels were specified for all paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives, and carpet systems
• Composite wood products are free of urea-formaldehyde
• Outdoor air ventilation far surpassed the recommended guidelines of ASHRAE

"Sabra Dipping Company, LLC (Sabra), maker of America’s favorite hummus, broke ground this morning on an expansion of the world’s largest hummus-making facility, based in Chesterfield County, VA," the Chesterfield Business News says.

"The 40,000 square foot expansion will enable Sabra to further expedite product delivery to retail, which means getting freshly-made hummus into consumer hands and homes sooner.

"According to IRI, the U.S. fresh dips category is estimated at $2.15 billion, excluding food service and some club stores. Hummus represents more than 37 percent of the fresh dips category. Sabra maintains an approximate 60 percent market share in the U.S. and offers more than a dozen varieties of hummus and on-the-go offerings nationally."

"Sabra Dipping Company, LLC, is making Chesterfield, Virginia, its home and expanding it a whopping 40,000 feet (its fourth expansion to date), all to get hummus into the hands of consumers faster," The Forward says.

"This newest expansion will make it the world’s largest hummus plant and it will more than double Sabra’s production rate. Buckle up, everybody. There’s about to be a whole lot more hummus in your local grocery stores.

"Sabra’s been at the top for a while, nabbing a 60% market share in America with their offerings of twelve kinds of hummus along with their seasonal varieties."

"Sabra Dipping Company, LLC (Sabra), maker of America's favorite hummus, broke ground this morning on an expansion of the world's largest hummus-making facility, based in Chesterfield County, VA," the official Press Release says.

"The 40,000 square foot expansion will enable Sabra to further expedite product delivery to retail, which means getting freshly-made hummus into consumer hands and homes sooner. The new addition more than doubles Sabra's finished goods storage capacity, lays the groundwork for future packaging customization capabilities and will result in an improved carbon footprint. Sabra expects to add 12 full-time positions upon completion of the expansion, which will be designed to maintain Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification program.

"The expansion will significantly improve efficiencies and increase cold storage capabilities while decreasing Sabra's carbon footprint by enabling freshly packaged product to get to stores and to consumers more quickly. The expanded facility will also provide the framework for future productivity projects and innovations. Sabra has contracted with the Tippmann Group, which specializes in the design of multi-temperature facilities for the food industry."

"Sabra Dipping Company, LLC is a U.S.-based company which produces Middle Eastern-style and other food products, including hummus and guacamole. It is co-owned by PepsiCo and the Strauss Group. All Sabra products are certified kosher and vegetarian, and are available throughout the U.S. and Canada. As of 2016, the company held a 60% market share for hummus sales in the United States, and was forecast to exceed $1 billion in sales in 2017.

"In March 2008, Strauss entered a joint-venture partnership with Frito-Lay, a division of the multinational PepsiCo corporation. Strauss owns 50% and PepsiCo 50% of the company. In November 2008, the company announced the construction of a new $61 million plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia, expected to employ 260 people and come on line in mid-2010.

"By 2016, Sabra had gained a 60% market share of hummus in the United States,[8] and, through its co-ownership and sales channels with PepsiCo, was close to $1 billion in annual sales. To parallel the rising consumer demand for hummus, American farmers have increased their production of chickpeas four-fold since 2009, harvesting more than 100 million pounds (45,000 metric tons) in 2015, up from about 25 million pounds (11,000 metric tons) in 2009."  (Wikipedia)

"At the center of the smorgasbord of the fiercely competitive food industry where consumer tastes are fickle and sustainability is hard, Sabra Dipping Co. LLC, can boast a stable position as the leader in the US hummus market," the Forbes Magazine says.

"Sabra’s journey began in 1986 when NY-based entrepreneur Yehuda Pearl set out to introduce the beloved Mediterranean dip and spread to Americans. Sabra’s delicious, creamy hummus was a quick hit and its innovative packaging stood out on shelf.

"As it grew, it captured the attention of multinational food brands and in 2008 the Strauss Group and PepsiCo entered into a joint venture, each with 50% ownership opening doors and accelerating the growth of the brand, now practically synonymous with hummus today."

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