CATEGORY LEADERSHIP AWARDS HUMMUS AND DIPS

Hummus and dips have been sneaking their way into becoming household staples as snacking and charcuterie boards remain top of mind for consumers. Whether it’s a quick bite or for a hosting occasion, leaders in the hummus and dips space are continuing to bring more to the table.

Garden Fresh Gourmet has been a leader in the category since 1998. The company is a producer of all things hummus and dips, providing consumers with everything they need from dips to hummus and chips. The company was founded by Jack and Annette Aronson—the duo started making salsa in Ferndale, MI and has grown into an established leader in the category. While the company has been prominent in the category, Garden Fresh Gourmet became a division of Fontaine Sante in 2019.

At the time of the acquisition, Fontaine Sante had yet to enter the US market, but the purchase paved the way for the company to establish a presence in America.

According to the company, “This is a strategic acquisition that is aligned with our business plan. It adds similar and complementary expertise to our group while also supporting our expansion into the American market for our two companies,” said Fontaine Sante Group President Mélissa Latifi.

Leading hummus producer Sabra also has products that are non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher. The company sources its products from Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and according to Sabra, the company evaluates every ingredient before using it in the products. While Sabra is well-known for its hummus products, Sabra also creates guacamole dips such as classic with lime and Mexican street corn inspired guacamole.

Recently at the IDDBA tradeshow, Sabra showcased its BBQ hummus, which has a hickory-smoked barbecue flavor and is expected to launch in August 2023.

As hummus has been a growing category and frequent shopping purchase, media outlets have ranked the best store-bought hummus according to chefs. Garden Fresh Gourmet’s Lantana Foods was recently ranked as one of the top seven hummus consumers can buy by Stephen Parker, a chef at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beers, which is a franchise restaurant located on the east coast.

“I love their creativity and innovation through all of the different varieties they offer,” said Parker. “Whether it be the Cauliflower Pizza Crust, Black Bean or Sriracha Carrot Hummus, the flavor profiles really shine through. They are also all seasoned very well and not too salty.”

Lakeview Farms started in 1988 and according to the company, Lakeview Farms only had one customer and few associates at the time. Since then, the company has solidified itself as a leading producer of dips, desserts and specialty products such as hummus, salsa, layered dips and various deli, dairy and seafood items. According to the company’s website, Lakeview Farms has remained focused on creating new products that people will love as they are always staying ahead of consumer trends and preferences.

In 2018, Lakeview Farms dived further into the dips and hummus category through its acquisition of Tribe Mediterranean Foods, a hummus producer.

"Lakeview is committed to supporting the next phase of Tribe's growth strategy, presenting an array of synergies and capabilities to enhance our ability to compete in this fast-moving, exciting category," said John McGuckin, Tribe's Chief Executive Officer, at the time of the acquisition. "This is a great opportunity for us, and we look forward to building the Tribe brand with innovative new products and driving category growth." Today, Lakeview Farms has nearly 1,000 employees and is based in Delphos, OH. In 2021, Sequel Holdings sold Lakeview Farms after it owned the company for seven years. Currently, Capvest invests in Lakeview Farms, supporting the company throughout its endeavors.