United Kingdom-based SFA member DANDS made their debut at the Summer Fancy Food Show and in the U.S. market in June 2026, and was met with an enthusiastic response. Co-founded by a brother and sister duo, DANDS is a creative acronym for the “dips and sticks” snacking products that the brand is best known for. The company’s signature “pots” include hummus and dipping sticks, drawing on the founders’ Lebanese heritage while also introducing on-trend innovations like their award-winning wasabi hummus.
Just one month removed from the 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show, SFA connected with the DANDS team to hear about the impact of meeting retailers, distributors, and other channel partners in the U.S., what product-line extensions they’re considering, and more.
What were your biggest takeaways from the Summer Fancy Food Show?
The Summer Fancy Food Show was an exciting milestone for DANDS and a strong introduction to the US specialty food community. We were encouraged by the interest from retailers, distributors, foodservice operators, and airline caterers who connected with our quality, freshness, and convenient formats.
Our biggest takeaway was that buyers want authentic global flavors, but also a genuine story and a product that fits modern lifestyles. We left New York with valuable new connections and greater confidence in the opportunity for Mediterranean snacking in North America.
How does your Lebanese heritage and family story shape DANDS?
DANDS is rooted in the Lebanese table, where food is generous, flavorful, and brings people together. We began with the hummus recipes we grew up with and adapted them for today’s busy lifestyles.
As a family business, we are closely involved in every recipe and product we launch. We respect the classics, while also introducing flavors such as truffle, beetroot, chilli, and our award-winning wasabi hummus. Our aim is to make authentic Lebanese food feel modern, exciting, and accessible worldwide.
What trends are influencing your product development?
Consumers are becoming more adventurous. They want global flavors, plant-based options, convenient mini-meals, and snacks that offer a real experience.
That is where DANDS fits naturally. Our combination of creamy dips and crunchy sticks brings flavor, texture, and convenience into one format. We are continuing to develop new hummus flavors, Mediterranean dips, breadstick varieties, and formats suited to retail, vending, travel, and foodservice—always with a clear focus on products consumers will enjoy and buy again.
How do DANDS products support busy families during back-to-school?
Our Dip n Go pots were made for busy moments. They combine hummus and baked breadsticks in one portioned, ready-to-eat pack, with no preparation or extra containers needed.
They are easy to add to a lunchbox, take in the car, or enjoy after school. The hummus is plant-based and made without artificial preservatives, offering families a practical savory alternative to many traditional packaged snacks. For parents, it is convenient. For children and adults, it is fun, crunchy, and full of flavor.
What makes DANDS stand out in a crowded snack category?
DANDS stands for “Dips AND Sticks,” and that complete snacking experience is what makes us different. We combine authentic Lebanese recipes, bold flavors, creamy dips, and crunchy baked sticks in convenient formats.
Behind the fun concept is a serious commitment to quality. Our products are made in a BRCGS Grade AA-certified facility, and we use high-pressure processing to maintain freshness and extend refrigerated shelf life without artificial preservatives in our hummus. For buyers, DANDS offers a distinctive brand with potential across multiple channels.
What should the specialty food community watch for next?
The next year will be about building the right partnerships to grow DANDS in the US while continuing our international expansion. We are especially interested in partners who see the potential of Mediterranean snacking across retail, convenience, vending, travel, and foodservice.
The community can also expect new dips, new breadstick varieties, improved grab-and-go formats, and products that take DANDS beyond chilled hummus. Our ambition is to build a recognized Mediterranean snacking brand that combines Lebanese authenticity with innovation, quality, and strong commercial potential.