Jamaican-owned Caribbean Food Delights in US$17-M expansion
NEW YORK, United States — As a high point of its 45th anniversary celebrations, Caribbean Food Delights — the United States-based conglomerate founded by Jamaican-born businessman and philanthropist Vincent Hosang — is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion project at its Tappan Rockland County headquarters and manufacturing plant here.
Chief executive officer of the company, Sabrina Hosang Jordan, announced that the company will spend US$17 million to upgrade and expand its frozen food operations that would see a 15 per cent increase in production of patties, the company’s flagship product item.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion project is planned for July 11 of this year, Hosang Jordan said, noting that: “The planned expansion comes at a time when product sales are at an all time high, as the company has seen sales growth of approximately 40 per cent since 2019, which has allowed us to embark on this timely expansion.”
While she credits the success of the family-owned business as a major contributing factor in its planned expansion, she welcomed a Us $2.75 million grant from the Midhudson Regional Economic Development Council, saying it had “encouraged us to act on this expansion sooner rather than later”.
The council acts as a strategic advisory board representing seven large counties which borders New York City and major Northeast US markets, according to its website. It also helps to reduce bureaucracy, ensure improved business climate and greater efficiency in how state resources are allocated.
Hosang Jordan said that expansion of the facilities – the second largest in the company’s history – would also result in its products becoming available in several large and new retailers across the States.
They include Shop & Stop, Big Foods, Food Lion and Costo Centers, new partnerships which will complement Caribbean Food Delights already impressive list of major retailers including Sams Club, Walmart, Costco, and BJS as well as leading supermarkets such as Shoprite, Key Food, Western Beef, Publix, Harris Teeter, and Win Dixie, said Hosang Jordan.
The company’s line of products includes Jamaican beef, chicken vegetables and plant-based (jackfruit) patties, jerk wings, chicken pot pies, plantain tarts, and Sabrina Delights brand of puff pastries.
Caribbean Food Delights, which began operations in the Bronx in 1978, is considered the leading manufacturer of Caribbean frozen foods in the US. Its affiliates, Royal Caribbean Bakery, Caribbean Grille and the Vincent Hosang Family Foundation, are also owned and operated by the Hosang family.
The company and its founder are well known for philanthropic work in Jamaica, especially in the area of health care.
As part of its 45th celebrations the company plans to recognise 45 employees, retailers, distributors, and community organisations at a ceremony this summer.