Sabra Dipping Company is looking to expand its tasty portfolio even further into the dip-loving hearts of consumers, this time by directly investing into the education and nutrition of communities in need.
Through a partnership with nonprofit group Renew Richmond, Sabra has planted a 4,000-square-foot “backyard garden” beside its factory in Chesterfield County, VA. The fresh veggies cultivated from the plot will help fill the hands of community members who don’t have grocery store access with freshly-grown produce; as is featured in Sabra’s array of products.
“It is really important, everybody agrees, to eat more fresh vegetables, so we are happy to contribute,” Sabra CEO Shali Shalit-Shoval said during an employee event at the new garden last week, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Sabra hopes that this local garden will serve as a pilot project for more gardens at its offices and production plants for its “Plants with a Purpose” program.
“We have this vision that it will be much bigger, but this is just the first step,” Shalit-Shoval said. “The vision is to have urban gardens everywhere.”
Sabra employees who volunteer in the gardening project, will be able to receive some of the fresh produce from the garden. Brussels sprouts, kale, lettuce, and spinach are among the vegetables which will be grown.
Sabra plans to expand the garden’s footprint over time, as well as its produce offerings with a variety of eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
“We were very careful in choosing plants that we are going to be successful in harvesting this season,” said Mario Vazquez, an Agronomist and Sourcing Manager for Sabra.
Surplus produce will go towards filling area food deserts with veggies through Renew Richmond’s urban agricultural program. Produce will be delivered in “veggie boxes” to in-need areas, with plans for Sabra to invest in education outreach as well.
“Even though we consider America to be this plentiful place, there are pockets of huge disparity in access to healthy food,” stated Duron Chavis, a partner with Renew Richmond.
Chavis went on to state that even though Richmond is touted as a “foodie” region, many low-income residents only have access to fast-food places or convenience stores.
As Sabra continues to expand innovations for healthful veggies in its dips, and into accessible hands beyond just the store, Deli Market News will continue to report on the progress of the program and the company.
