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 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 US Green Building Council’s LEED certification program.
“America’s favorite hummus is made in America, right here in Chesterfield County, Virginia,” said Tomer Harpaz, Sabra’s Chief Executive Officer. “Today, we break ground on what will be the fourth expansion on this campus, reflecting both Sabra’s growth to date and the anticipated continued brand and category evolution we envision for the near future. Already, we are witnessing the way hummus consumption in the US is shifting from special occasion dip to an everyday feel good food. As a proud employer in the region, we are thrilled that this expansion will allow us to welcome additional people to the Sabra family.”
“When Sabra joined our community in 2010, we were so pleased that the brand synonymous with hummus chose Chesterfield County as a place to grow,” said Dorothy Jaeckle, District Supervisor, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “Sabra’s presence has meant that some of the most innovative thought leadership and culinary advances in the plant-based food space are happening right here. Sabra has always proudly shared its success with our community, not only in the way of food and jobs but also through initiatives like Plants with a Purpose, Sabra’s community engagement initiative that helps increase education and access to fresh fruits and vegetables within the food deserts in our area.”
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.
According to IRI, the US fresh dips category is estimated at $2.15 billion, excluding food service and some club stores. Hummus represents more than 37% of the fresh dips category. Sabra maintains an approximate 60% market share in the US and offers more than a dozen varieties of hummus and on-the-go offerings nationally.
