Hidden Gems: Meet Sabrina HoSang Jordan of Caribbean Food Delights

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina HoSang Jordan. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Sister companies Caribbean Food Delights (CFD) and Royal Caribbean Bakery (RCB) are manufacturers of Jamaican-style beef, chicken, and vegetable patties, and Jamaican baked products: hard dough bread, buns, bullas, and cakes. Together, they are celebrating 45 years in business! The companies’ fascinating story began in 1978 on Dyre Avenue in Bronx, New York, by a Chinese-Jamaican husband and wife team: Vincent and Jeanette HoSang.

The HoSangs had an idea and a passion to bring the “taste of home” to homesick Jamaicans longing for the comfort food they once enjoyed, and together they did just that! Their idea which began from humble beginnings has since grown into an iconic brand, celebrated not only by Caribbean nationals but mainstream America alike. Today, Caribbean Food Delights is the largest global manufacturer of Jamaican-style patties, a leap that the humble couple still asks, “how did we get here?”

Their climb skyrocketed with an increasing demand for their Jamaican patties, and they were forced to relocate to Mount Vernon, New York. But even that location was no match for the growing number of Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals who demanded the “taste of home.” With insight and vision, the HoSangs made the move to separate the companies by identifying an even larger and permanent home for their flagship product, the Jamaican patty. In 1994, CFD was relocated to a 103,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on 10 acres of land in Tappan, New York.

Privately owned and operated, the Better Business Bureau member companies, remain rooted in their motto, “Quality is Our Priority.” This obsession with quality and safety has earned both companies numerous awards and accolades. CFD boasts the coveted Safe Quality Food Institute’s highest achievement award – SQF Level 3.

The companies’ products are widely distributed with CFD’s patties being available globally. The Caribbean Food Delights branded patties can be found at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale, and Costco. They can also be found at your local Price Rite, HEB, Publix, Winn Dixie, Harris Teeter, ShopRite Supermarkets, local Caribbean bakeries and restaurants, and US Commissaries worldwide.

CFD and RCB along with their philanthropic organization, the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation (VHFF) have supported impact-driven programs in the areas of nation-building, community outreach, health, sports, and education. While resolute in directly promoting programs, and supporting innovative projects, some of their most successfully funded charities are community-based partnerships.

Over the years, the organizations with which the companies have partnered, continue to demonstrate measurable results in fundamental areas of concern for the underserved. Some charities include The Organization for International Development (OID) sponsored Mobile Health Clinic, Team Jamaica Bickle Feeding and Nutrition Program for visiting Caribbean athletes to the annual Penn Relays, the Vincent HoSang Entrepreneurial Program at the University of The West Indies, the Jamaica LINAC Machines Project Initiative, the Jamaica Ebola Prevention Program, Jawanio Lifespan Services, Rockland Community Foundation and Rockland County’s largest food pantry, People to People. A major part of their corporate social responsibility is education empowerment and both CFD and RCB are generous donors of both institution and individual scholarships, annually.

Since inception, the organizations have awarded approximately US$4.5 million to numerous charities designed to assist the most vulnerable in their local communities and the Caribbean.

CFD and RCB have been recognized for their countless “giving back” and philanthropic efforts along with Vincent HoSang, who has received Jamaica’s fourth highest National Honor, the Order of Jamaica, O.J.

With the HoSangs now semi-retired, their children Damian, Sabrina and Simone are at the helm.   Daughter, Sabrina HoSang Jordan, Chief Executive Officer shares her experience…

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been easy. There are government regulations that are constantly changing, growing competition, our employees are unionized, challenges of getting a consistent supply of raw materials, dealing with equipment breakdowns, and making sure we have the skilled staff to maintain our equipment, finding good workers, upgrading, and buying new equipment, outgrowing our current space and keeping up with demand.

We’ve been impressed with Caribbean Food Delights, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Caribbean Food Delights is the leading manufacturer of Jamaican-style patties in the world and is the only Jamaican patty manufacturer that is Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certified. We manufacture Jamaican-style patties with, beef, chicken, or vegetable fillings, our products are sold in Costco, BJ’s, Sam’s, Wal-Mart, local supermarkets, and retailers nationally and internationally. Our high quality and great taste set us apart from our competition. When you see the Caribbean Food Delights brand, you know you are getting a quality brand.

The HoSang family believes in giving customers a quality product because that is what their customers know and expect from the brand. They do not cut corners. The HoSang family gives back to the community in so many ways, whether it is volunteering their time, donating in-kind, or financially. We were the first to offer microwavable patties to the public which are now our most popular items, particularly the spicy beef. Our products are also available online on Amazon and our website: www.caribbeanfooddelights.com.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?

Our commitment to being the best and providing the best quality products to our consumers. We will never compromise on quality and taste.

Our customers deserve the best. We also take care of our employees who have helped us get to where we are now. We have many employees who have been working for us for over 25 years. We treat our employees like family.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cfdnyinc.com
• Instagram: @caribbeanfooddelights
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cfdny
• Twitter: @cfdny
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CaribbeanFoodDelightsIncTappan

Image Credits
Caribbean Food Delights