Sabra (company)
Encyclopedia
Sabra Dipping Company, LLC is a U.S.-based company which produces Middle Eastern Style-style food products, including hummus
, eggplant dip, baba ghanoush
, and Mediterranean salsa
. All Sabra products are certified kosher and vegetarian, and are available throughout the U.S. and Canada. As of 2008, the company held a 34.7% market share for Mediterranean salads, dips and spreads.
The company was founded in 1986 as Sabra-Blue & White Foods (Sabra
being a nickname for an Israeli-born person and Blue & White representing the colors of the Flag of Israel
). The company was bought in 2005 by Israel
i food manufacturer Strauss. In March 2008, Strauss entered a joint-venture partnership with Frito-Lay
, a division of the multinational PepsiCo
corporation. Strauss owns 51% and PepsiCo 49% of the company. In November 2008, the company announced the construction of a new US$
61 million plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia
, expected to produce 260 jobs and come on line in mid-2010. The company grew over 50% between August 2008 and August 2009.
During the run-up to the 2008 U.S. presidential election
, Sabra commissioned sculptor Kirk Rademaker to create bust
s of candidates John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton out of 100 pounds of hummus.
Sabra launched its first U.S. national advertising campaign in March 2009, with the StrawberryFrog ad agency. In May 2009, the company began a series of promotional events in which it recreated "Mediterranean villages" in 11 major U.S. cities.
In November 2009, Gadi Lesin, President and CEO of the Strauss group, announced that the market share of the Sabra Dipping Company had reached 40% in the United States, making it the largest hummus manufacturer in the world.
During December 2010, Princeton University students voted down a referendum to request "an alternative brand of hummus in addition to Sabra" at campus dining facilities. Students allege that the Strauss Group - Sabra's parent company and joint owner - provided material support for the Israeli army, whom they accuse of committing human rights violations in Palestine.
Hummus
Hummus is high in iron and vitamin C and also has significant amounts of folate and vitamin B6. The chickpeas make it a good source of protein and dietary fiber; the tahini consists mostly of sesame seeds, which are an excellent source of the amino acid methionine, complementing the proteins in the...
, eggplant dip, baba ghanoush
Baba ghanoush
Baba ghanoush, baba ganush, baba ghannouj or baba ghannoug is a Levantine dish of aubergine mashed and mixed with virgin olive oil and various seasonings. A popular preparation method is for the eggplant to be baked or broiled over an open flame before peeling, so that the pulp is soft and has a...
, and Mediterranean salsa
Salsa (sauce)
Salsa may refer to any type of sauce. In American English, it usually refers to the spicy, often tomato based, hot sauces typical of Mexican and Central American cuisine, particularly those used as dips. In British English, the word typically refers to salsa cruda, which is common in Mexican ,...
. All Sabra products are certified kosher and vegetarian, and are available throughout the U.S. and Canada. As of 2008, the company held a 34.7% market share for Mediterranean salads, dips and spreads.
The company was founded in 1986 as Sabra-Blue & White Foods (Sabra
Sabra
Sabra may refer to:*Sabra and Shatila massacre, a 1982 massacre in Lebanon**Sabra refugee camp, former Palestinian refugee camp, part of the scene of the above massacre*Sabra , a native-born Israeli JewSABRA...
being a nickname for an Israeli-born person and Blue & White representing the colors of the Flag of Israel
Flag of Israel
The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishment. It depicts a blue Star of David on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes...
). The company was bought in 2005 by Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i food manufacturer Strauss. In March 2008, Strauss entered a joint-venture partnership with Frito-Lay
Frito-Lay
Frito-Lay North America is the division of PepsiCo that manufactures, markets and sells corn chips, potato chips and other snack foods. The primary snack food brands produced under the Frito-Lay name include Fritos corn chips, Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips,...
, a division of the multinational PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
corporation. Strauss owns 51% and PepsiCo 49% of the company. In November 2008, the company announced the construction of a new US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
61 million plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Chesterfield County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. In 2010, its population was estimated to be 316,236. Chesterfield County is now the fourth-largest municipality in Virginia . Its county seat is Chesterfield...
, expected to produce 260 jobs and come on line in mid-2010. The company grew over 50% between August 2008 and August 2009.
During the run-up to the 2008 U.S. presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Sabra commissioned sculptor Kirk Rademaker to create bust
Bust (sculpture)
A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure, depicting a person's head and neck, as well as a variable portion of the chest and shoulders. The piece is normally supported by a plinth. These forms recreate the likeness of an individual...
s of candidates John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton out of 100 pounds of hummus.
Sabra launched its first U.S. national advertising campaign in March 2009, with the StrawberryFrog ad agency. In May 2009, the company began a series of promotional events in which it recreated "Mediterranean villages" in 11 major U.S. cities.
In November 2009, Gadi Lesin, President and CEO of the Strauss group, announced that the market share of the Sabra Dipping Company had reached 40% in the United States, making it the largest hummus manufacturer in the world.
During December 2010, Princeton University students voted down a referendum to request "an alternative brand of hummus in addition to Sabra" at campus dining facilities. Students allege that the Strauss Group - Sabra's parent company and joint owner - provided material support for the Israeli army, whom they accuse of committing human rights violations in Palestine.