From bean to bowl, how Ithaca Hummus got to Rochester
(WHAM-TV) Ithaca Hummus started as a small idea in Ithaca, and has now grown to a large operation in Greece. It was founded by Chris Kirby in 2014. He developed the idea when he was a Cornell University student, seeing a need for tastier hummus on the market. The chef then got to work making different batches in a small kitchen he rented in Ithaca.
Kirby would sell containers of his hummus at the Ithaca Farmer's Market, sealing each one with his wife's hair dryer. As the months went on, he remained dedicated to achieving success in his product, and his company grew to Ithaca Hummus. It's considered the nation's quickest growing hummus company, and it's manufactured at LiDestri Food Inc. in Greece.
Ithaca Hummus now has six flavors - a seventh olive addition coming out soon - and is sold in about 20 states. Kirby has an entire team working with him, including COO Frank Cavallaro, to continue making strides in the hummus world. Kirby advises young entrepreneurs to focus on their dreams, and to keep going even through the rough bumps in the road.
You can watch a tour of the facility, as Michael Schwartz went through the steps of making the hummus on Good Day Rochester.
