Caribbean Food Delights unveils US$17-million Tappan plant expansion

NEW YORK, USA — Caribbean Food Delights (CFD), billed as the world’s largest maker of Jamaican-style patties and related foods, marked the launch of its enlarged plant with a ribbon-cutting at its Tappan base last month.

The US$17-million build brings advanced robotics, greater manufacturing capacity and updated staff areas meant to underpin further expansion, sharper operations and rising buyer appetite, according to a company press release.

“This expansion is a significant milestone in our company’s history and a testament to the vision, perseverance, and commitment that have guided Caribbean Food Delights from the very beginning,” chief executive Sabrina HoSang Jordan said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “The expansion has allowed us to add a third production line which has enabled us to increase production of our flagship item [patties] by 15 per cent to 40,000 per hour. With its advanced robotics and modern facilities, it is more than a milestone for the company — it is the next chapter in a story of vision, resilience, and the very best of what Jamaicans can achieve when given the opportunity,” she said.

The upgrade adds 1,750 square feet of floor space, taking the site to nearly 104,000 square feet and the payroll to 175 workers.

CFD said backing from several partners made the investment possible, among them Empire State Development and the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council, which awarded a US$2.75-million grant citing the project’s economic value and pledge to create jobs in New York State. Empire State Development is the state’s lead growth agency, charged with driving investment and employment statewide.

The firm also credited Bank of America — ranked the second-largest bank in the United States — for its enduring ties with CFD and help on the expansion.

Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council co-chairs Dr Marsha Gordon and Dr Kristine Young said “Caribbean Foods Delights has been an important employer and community partner in Rockland County”. “This expansion strengthens the company’s roots in the Mid-Hudson region, creates new opportunities for local workers, and reinforces the region’s reputation as a great place for businesses to grow and strive,” they said.

The council serves as a strategic advisory body for seven large counties adjoining New York City and key north-east US markets, its website states. It also works to cut red tape and improve how state funds are directed, the site notes.

Last month’s ceremony drew elected officials, business figures, community advocates, staff and partners, plus officials from the Jamaican Consulate in New York.

Vincent HoSang, a Jamaica-born entrepreneur and philanthropist, and the late Jeanette HoSang started the business in 1978. It has since become a worldwide operation serving buyers in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and US military commissaries globally. The brand reaches major US retailers including Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale, Costco, Walmart and supermarket groups such as Publix. Affiliated ventures include Royal Caribbean Bakery and Caribbean Grill, along with the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation, a non-profit organisation.