There are good things ahead for longtime 4AP client, Hoyo Sambusa. The Somali-owned frozen food company is undergoing a major expansion—growing from a 400 sq ft kitchen at VEAP in Bloomington to a new 4,000 sq ft production facility at Midtown Global Market. The project, led by Food Ops, LLC, will increase Hoyo’s production capacity and help it meet increased demand.
Hoyo was recently featured in this Star Tribune article highlighting their remarkable growth, along with plans for new product innovation (with special mention of 4AP!).
Hoyo has seen strong growth in school markets over the past several years, now reaching thousands of children in 29+ school districts. With increased capacity at Midtown Global Market, it will also be expanding into retail grocery locations, including Lunds & Byerly's beginning in July.
As one Hoyo leader shared:
"[I] hope you, your team at 4AP and the many volunteers that have supported Hoyo over the years, all feel a sense of ownership and joy with the completion of the build out of a new Hoyo production facility at Midtown Global Market. Without you all, I do not think Hoyo would have been in this position, the new facility would have come together and I would have held together through the years. I personally feel deep gratitude for you and 4AP."
Recently, members of the 4AP and Partners in Food Solutions teams joined Johnny Castillo and Asa Bielenberg of Food Ops, alongside Ghita Worcester and Joani Essenburg from Hoyo, to tour the new space and celebrate this milestone. And a big thank you to 4AP volunteers Ben Millis and Josh Hemann who advised on process flow and equipment for the new facility. We couldn’t be prouder to walk alongside Hoyo on this journey toward sustainable, community-rooted growth.
Photos below!