July 4, 2025 – Eagle Tribune
HAVERHILL — From chickpeas to construction, Haverhill’s most successful food brand is helping transform more than just folks’ appetite.
The large-scale hummus producer, Cedar’s Foods, grew from a family recipe into a snack stuffed in cabinets nationwide, and now, the business is investing in its neighbors—soon to be neighbors, that is.
In June, Cedar’s donated $100,000 to Essex County Habitat for Humanity to support the creation of seven affordable homes in Haverhill’s Mount Washington neighborhood.
It’s a kickstart to fundraising efforts for the organization’s 512 Washington Street project, which will turn historic property into affordable housing units for low-income families who are also first-time homebuyers.
“At Cedar’s, we’re proud to give back to the Haverhill community that has supported us for so many years. This initiative with Habitat for Humanity is especially meaningful, as it helps create stable, affordable housing for local families. Giving back to our community is at the heart of everything we do,” Aimee Tsakirellis, executive vice president of marketing at Cedar’s Foods, said.
The donation marks Cedar’s first contribution to Habitat for Humanity, and it was an “incredibly generous” one at that, the organization said. The homebuilders expressed excitement as the six-figure gift lays the foundation for a potential partnership between the two groups.
Representatives from Habitat for Humanity said that they would be interested in inviting the hummus-producer to a corporate build day at the construction site for one of their homes.
With funding, Habitat for Humanity can purchase the necessary properties, including a 4,156-square-foot Victorian home, built in 1881. The home will be renovated and redeveloped into a three-family residence, keeping the building intact and expanding the supply of affordable housing units in Haverhill.
Plans call for two, three-bedroom units and a two-bedroom unit within the property. A second phase will involve dividing the property and constructing two additional duplexes—adding four more three-bedroom units.
The project comes at a critical time for homebuyers as the need for affordable, permanent housing in Haverhill only grows. The city remains “housing-constrained,” according to the Haverhill FY25 Annual Action Plan, over half its residents spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
Haverhill’s population is the fastest-growing in the Merrimack Valley, while its household income is the lowest in the region, Habitat said.
The organization seeks to help low-income wage earners, with all seven of these Haverhill units being affordable to households earning 60% of the area’s median income. For Haverhill, this means that families making more than $80,400 cannot apply. Applicants must also be first-time home buyers and demonstrate a current lack of adequate housing.
There are 12 families who are in the process of moving into Habitat homes now: seven are single mothers, three are single, young professionals, and six are people of color, according to the organization.
“The average single-family home price has reached $900,000 in Greater Boston, making homeownership even more out of reach for low-income families who often hold down two jobs while trying to raise a family. People are leaving Massachusetts because they can’t afford to live here,” said Pati Fernandez, Haverhill resident and Habitat family Selection Committee Co-Chair.
“When you’re making minimum wage, paying rent versus an affordable mortgage makes a huge difference. We’re creating an opportunity to give someone their independence and partner with them in a dignified way to keep them in our community,” she said.
Habitat for Humanity has continued its fundraising for this project and no timeline has been set for when new homeowners will move in.
By Jonah Frangiosa