MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —
An MTSU alumna can claim that her company’s product is the “Pick of
Tennessee.”
Java Hemmat’s Nashville-based Hummus Chick, a firm that
makes hummus for retailers, won first place at the 2016 Pick Tennessee Products
Trade Show. The event took place during the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience
Store Association’s Food Expo June 8 and 9 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“Our customers drive our passion, and we’ve listened to so
many great stories about the meals enjoyed in the Mediterranean,” said Hemmat.
“Through these stories, we found that there’s a gap in the Mediterranean cuisine
enjoyed in the (United) States.”
All the products judged at the trade show are produced in
Tennessee and are part of the Pick Tennessee Products program, which is
sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture. They were judged for
originality, taste and packaging.
Hemmat, a naturalized American citizen from United Arab
Emirates, moved to the United States in 1998 and relocated to Nashville in 2003
after earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration from MTSU.
Her hummus also has been honored as a past nominee for the
Martha Stewart American Made Awards. Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made from
chickpeas, olive oil and other ingredients.
Hemmat sells regular hummus, hummus with roasted garlic and
cilantro and spicy hummus with pesto at 24 locations around the state. In
August, Hemmat intends to launch a line of three new spice blends named after
Mediterranean cities — Marrakech, Provence and Shiraz.
“The best part of our vision is that we’ve partnered with
Heifer International to donate proceeds to 120 countries around the world to
help families thrive in their communities,” said Hemmat.
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