Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods is not your average grocery store brand when it comes to hommus. Many packaged hommus products fall short in terms of taste and quality, often leaving a sour flavor due to the preservatives used for longer shelf-life. As a food enthusiast who prefers homemade dishes, I had all but given up on store-bought hommus until I stumbled upon Cedar’s lemon hommos. Having traveled the world and visited Lebanon, I was pleasantly surprised by the authentic taste of Cedar’s products. This made Cedar’s hommus one of the rare packaged items I would actually consider buying. However, as the founder of Azure Road, a sustainability publication, I am always mindful of the impact that my purchasing decisions have on the environment, local communities, and the people behind the products. Thus, when I learned about Cedar’s extensive community initiatives and charity work, my interest was piqued, and I decided to delve deeper into their story.
Cedar’s Foods is a prominent player in the Mediterranean food market, initially founded by Layla and Ibrahim “Abe” Hanna. What started as a small family business has now blossomed into a nationally recognized brand known for its authentic products and strong commitment to community involvement. The baton of leadership has since been passed to Charles Hanna, the son of the founders, who continues to uphold the company’s core values of quality and innovation while expanding its reach. Cedar’s Foods traces its origins back to 1981 when the Hanna family settled in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts. Missing the flavors of hommus from their homeland, Layla Hanna began crafting it using her family’s cherished recipe. Recognizing the potential, Layla and Abe began producing hommus, taboule, and baba ghannouj in their kitchen, which they then sold to local supermarkets. The breakthrough for Cedar’s Foods came when Market Basket, a regional supermarket chain, started stocking their products, allowing the company to grow rapidly. By 1984, Cedar’s Foods was officially established, and today it operates from its headquarters in Haverhill, Massachusetts, with over 1,000 employees and facilities covering more than 500,000 square feet.
Charles Hanna, who took over as CEO in the 1990s, has played a pivotal role in scaling Cedar’s Foods from a regional operation to a national brand. His guiding principle of honoring his family’s legacy while embracing a forward-thinking vision has been instrumental in the company’s growth. One of the distinguishing factors of Cedar’s Foods is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. The company’s signature product, hommus, continues to be made using the original family recipe passed down through generations. This dedication to maintaining the traditional taste and quality of its products has garnered Cedar’s Foods a loyal customer base. Charles Hanna’s leadership has seen the company expand its operations, secure national accounts, and diversify its product offerings, all while staying true to its roots.
While Cedar’s Foods has achieved remarkable success in the food industry, what sets it apart is its dedication to giving back to the community. This ethos of social responsibility, instilled by the founders and further nurtured under Charles Hanna’s leadership, paved the way for Cedar’s with Heart initiative, launched in 2020. This initiative embodies the company’s commitment to making a positive impact through charitable endeavors and community support. Cedar’s with Heart has donated over $2,000,000, contributing meals and assistance to more than 50,000 individuals. The initiative focuses on addressing food insecurity and supporting enrichment programs in partnership with local organizations, such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs. Cedar’s Foods believes in empowering communities and giving back to those in need, exemplifying what it means to be a socially responsible brand.
The charitable efforts of Cedar’s Foods extend beyond traditional outreach. The company’s initiatives have touched the lives of underserved families, children, and individuals facing unique challenges. Through partnerships with organizations like the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and Infinite Strength, Cedar’s has provided meals, funding, and support to those in need. The company’s commitment to promoting healthy eating habits among children and supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities showcases its holistic approach to community involvement. Cedar’s Foods believes in creating a lasting impact by investing in programs that nourish the body, mind, and soul of individuals. So, the next time you pick up a package of Cedar’s hommus at the grocery store, know that you’re not just enjoying a delicious product—you’re also contributing to a brand that cares deeply about its community and the world at large.