Hummus has long been treasured as a nutritious and delicious snack. However, for parents seeking the best options for their children, the choices can be frustrating. Many available products are laden with preservatives and artificial additives, leaving health-conscious families yearning for better alternatives. Recognizing this gap in the market, a new player, Little Sesame, emerged with a solution designed specifically for the youngest consumers. Through their thoughtful approach, this Washington, D.C.-based startup aims not only to satisfy cravings but to promote healthier eating habits among children.
Little Sesame was co-founded by Nick Wiseman and Ronen Tenne, both of whom have a rich background in fine dining. Their journey began in 2016 with a popup vegetarian eatery in a D.C. basement, focused on creating fresh, artisanal hummus from locally sourced ingredients. However, like many businesses, they faced unprecedented challenges with the onset of COVID-19, which led them to pivot their business model. Hand-packing their popular hummus into portable containers proved to be a game changer, breaking into the broader market thanks to a stroke of luck—a Whole Foods forager discovered their product and helped them expand to 14 stores initially.
Now, Little Sesame’s expansion has propelled it to the shelves of nearly 3,000 locations, including all Whole Foods stores nationwide. Their unique flavors, including caramelized onion and preserved lemon, cater to the more adventurous adult palate, but their latest venture aims to make a significant impact on the kids’ snack market.
The launch of Little Sesame Kids Hummus Cups marks a notable shift toward kid-friendly options that are not only delicious but also healthy. Each 2.5-ounce cup, sold in packs of four for $6.99, is designed to be the ideal snack for school lunches or family road trips. Fabricated with convenience in mind, these cups serve the dual purpose of providing children with nutritious snacks while easing the burden of preparation that many parents face.
Wiseman and Tenne drew inspiration from their own experiences as fathers, acknowledging the struggle many parents encounter when providing nutritious options for their children. The result is a product that delivers wholesome ingredients without compromising on taste. Parents can rejoice as these hummus cups are certified organic and crafted with short ingredient lists that resemble what a conscientious parent might whip up at home.
One of the standout features of Little Sesame’s product is its commitment to quality. The chickpeas used in their hummus are sourced from Montana farmers practicing regenerative agriculture, a method designed to restore soil health while fostering sustainable farming practices. The company’s ingredients—organic chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice—exemplify purity, free from the preservatives and additives typically found in mass-produced snacks.
Notably, Little Sesame’s hummus contains no harsh chemicals and has been rigorously tested to ensure purity. With certifications including USDA organic and non-GMO Project Verified, parents can feel confident that they are providing their children with wholesome and clean snacks. The thoughtful production process is underscored by the belief that healthy food can also contribute positively to environmental wellbeing.
Looking ahead, Little Sesame is eager to grow its impact. With aspirations to broaden their supply chain and farmers’ network, they have recently secured $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support this mission. Wiseman’s goal to reach partnerships with ten farmers over the next few years underlines the importance of diversifying sources to build a more resilient supply chain, especially considering that agricultural challenges, such as adverse weather conditions, can jeopardize production.
The focus on child nutrition aligns with an evolving landscape of dining and eating habits among families. As parents become more aware of the importance of providing their kids with nutrient-dense options, brands like Little Sesame appear poised to thrive. Their combination of commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation places them at the forefront of a new era in food production, where healthy eating seamlessly integrates into everyday convenience.
Ultimately, the emergence of Little Sesame’s Kids Hummus Cups serves a vital need in addressing children’s nutrition, crafting a narrative that connects food with health and sustainability. As the brand continues to grow, it opens up exciting possibilities for more families to discover and embrace healthy snacking. Creating a legacy of conscious eating for the next generation could very well be the superhero mission that transforms the humble chickpea into a vehicle of positive change in children’s diets, and by extension, the planet.