Sabra Brings Bloggers and Influencers to the Table - Announcing the Sabra 2011 Tastemaker Panel

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabra® Dipping Company (www.sabra.com) has invited some passionate fans to join the Sabra 2011 Tastemaker Panel.  The select group of influencers will help spread the Sabra story, share their thoughts and suggestions with the Company and get an intimate look behind the scenes of the operations at the country's favorite hummus maker.

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Sabra, which began as a small hummus brand in New York City, has become the leading manufacturer of flavored dips and spreads in the country. Best known for its top-selling hummus, Sabra will unveil several new lines of fresh and healthy dips and spreads this year.  Throughout its evolution and growth, Sabra has engendered a passionate response from fans who love to help others discover Sabra.  

"Whether through our offline campaigns, social media efforts or our nationwide Sabra Taste Adventure Tour, we love connecting with Sabra fans," said Mina Penna, Senior Brand Manager for Sabra Dipping Company.  "The Tastemaker Panel is made up of an authentic and diverse group of people who inspire us with their passion for delicious food, sense of adventure, and passion to discover a healthier lifestyle.  We have invited them to the Sabra table not only to help more people discover Sabra, but to share their experiences with us and help shape the Sabra story."

As Tastemaker members, panelists will be among the first to try new products, visit the Sabra silver LEED factory in Chesterfield County VA, meet the Sabra brand and new product teams, and get a sneak peek at Sabra's upcoming marketing and advertising initiatives.  The Tastemaker Panel members will also share their thoughts with Sabra on new product development, social media, social responsibility, nutrition and recipes and usage ideas. The group will share favorite ways they enjoy Sabra products with their readers online, at events and trade shows and on Sabra's online properties.  Each will also contribute to a downloadable pdf cookbook that will be made available to Sabra's Facebook fans later this year.

Who are the 2011 Sabra Tastemakers?

Diane Carbonell – AKA Fit to the Finish http://www.fittothefinish.com

Diane Carbonell is a mom of seven who embodies healthy living. After losing 158 pounds 13 years ago, Carbonell has been dedicated to inspiring and coaching fans towards a healthy, delicious and fit lifestyle. She has been regularly featured in newspapers, on TV and radio and was recently featured in Shape magazine as an expert. She also recently appeared on the Dr. Oz show, and blogs on the shows website as a Wellness Warrior http://www.doctoroz.com/expert/diane-carbonell.  

Deanna Garretson – AKA Domestic Chicky http://domestic-chicky.com

Deanna Garretson prides herself on being a mom to two boys, slave to her camera and kitchen and has enjoyed sharing her favorite finds with readers through her blog for more than four years.  Garretson is also a designer who has helped launch dozens of blogs for other passionate writers.  She lives in Southern California and can be followed @DeannaGarretson on Twitter.

Chaviva Galatz – AKA The Kvetching Editor http://Kosher-Critic.com  

Chaviva is best known as the Kvetching Editor as well as Kosher-Critic blogging about all things Gluten Free and Kosher.   Galatz studied journalism at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln before working for the Denver Post and the Washington Post. She currently is a Jim Joseph Fellow in New York University's Dual M.A. program for Education and Jewish Studies while serving as a social media consultant for several companies/organizations.  

Kristin Porter – AKA Iowa Girl Eats http://iowagirleats.com

Kristin Porter is the blogger behind Iowa Girl Eats. Passionate about eating well, running often and traveling far, Porter embodies a sense of adventure and love of food that inspires her many readers and fans.  Porter lives in Des Moines, IA and inspires her readers with food and fun photos. Follow Kristin @IowaGirlEats.

Renee Ross – AKA Cutie Booty Cakes http://cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com

Renee Ross, based in Atlanta, GA, is known throughout the blogosphere for having harnessed the power of social media to raise awareness for important social and health-related causes. Renee blogs about parenting, eating healthy, running, raising money for important causes and has been featured in Parents Magazine, Southern Living, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and as part of an MSN's Health Channel webisode series. Follow Renee @reneejgross.  

Linda Sellers – AKA Welcome to Linneyville www.LindaSellers.com

Linda Sellers is owner/author of Welcome to Linneyville, a top-ranking lifestyle blog dedicated to diy, food, photography and product recommendations.  She also manages the community "Brandographers" which aggregates both amateur and professional brand, product, and logo photography.  Based near Sabra's VA factory in Virginia, Sellers is known for knowing seemingly everyone in the social media space and inspiring them with a positive attitude and upbeat blog.  Follow Linda @Linda_Sellers.

Liz Weiss – AKA The Meal Makeover Moms http://mealmakeovermoms.com

From the Boston area, Liz and fellow dietitian, Janice Bissex, write the family food blog, Meal Makeover Moms' Kitchen. Together, they also host the free, weekly radio podcast, Cooking with the Moms.  Liz and Janice are authors of two cookbooks: No Whine with Dinner: 150 Healthy, Kid-Tested Recipes from The Meal Makeover Moms (M3 Press, 2011) and The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers: Improving the Way Your Family Eats, One Meal at a Time (Broadway Books, 2004). Liz is a former food and nutrition producer and reporter for CNN, and currently, she hosts the Meal Makeovers segment for Everwell TV, a video series that runs in physician waiting rooms nationwide.  Liz is passionate about getting families – and especially kids -- to eat healthy meals happily. You can find Liz and Janice on twitter (@LizWeiss / @JaniceBissex) and follow them on Facebook.

Paul von Zielbauer – Founder & CEO of Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy Inc. – http://www.roadmonkey.net/site/what-is-roadmonkey.php

Paul von Zielbauer is a Pulitzer nominated journalist and spent 11 years as an investigative reporter and Iraq correspondent for The New York Times. As a staff writer for the Times, he covered the American military, private security companies, the New York City prison system and organized crime.  Paul founded Roadmonkey in 2008. The adventure philanthropy company combines physically challenging adventures with meaningful volunteer projects to give globally minded people the chance to become hands-on adventure philanthropists. From Vietnam to Peru, Tanzania, Nicaragua and Patagonia, von Zielbauer and his fellow travelers have been leaving the world a better place, one adventure at a time.

Sabra hummus, available in more than a dozen varieties, can be found in the refrigerated section of the deli in club stores, supermarkets and specialty retailers nationwide.

About Sabra Dipping Company, LLC

Sabra Dipping Company, LLC is a leader in the refrigerated dips and spreads category and producer of America's top-selling hummus.  Sabra's award-winning hummus, available in more than a dozen flavors and a wide range of authentic, healthy and vegetarian dips and spreads such as Babaganoush, Sauteed Mediterranean Vegetables and Turkish Salad can be found nationwide in club stores, supermarkets, specialty retailers and through food service.  Sabra operates a silver LEED certified factory in Virginia, and in 2011 received an A-Classification from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) audit board for food safety for its California plant.  Visit Sabra at www.sabra.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sabra and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sabra.

SOURCE Sabra Dipping Company