Chamber helps bring world’s most advanced tahini factory to OKC

Seeds ‘n Snacks, a leader in high-quality sesame-based products, celebrated the grand opening of their cutting-edge processing plant in Oklahoma City Sept. 21. This groundbreaking facility, the first of its kind in the United States, seamlessly merges traditional tahini processing with state-of-the-art automation.

Tahini, a sesame seed paste, is a staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It’s the main ingredient in hummus and is also used in dressings and dips. Tahini is gaining popularity in America as a protein-rich, low-sodium food. Seeds ‘n Snacks is the American sister company of Rasagra, Turkey’s biggest producer and exporter of hulled sesame seeds and tahini. 

With the tahini trend gaining traction and the U.S. emphasis on healthy living, founders Mohamed Fakhran (originally from Turkey) and Rasim Narin (originally from Lebanon) relocated their families and business to Oklahoma in 2021. This was a significant decision made after conducting an extensive nationwide search for the optimal manufacturing location and home to share their traditions. They were impressed with the city, its people and the business-friendly environment. 

“We looked at many regions known for manufacturing, and Oklahoma City delivered the perfect combination of talent, agriculture, and distribution to meet our needs," said Marcel Hage, CEO. "These qualities are crucial to automate the manual production processes that have been relied upon for generations to produce the smooth and creamy texture of our Tahini."

Erik Williams, manager of talent and business growth at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, played a crucial role in this landmark deal. Williams was instrumental in aiding the partnership between Seeds 'n Snacks and Oklahoma City, providing insight on business and lifestyle in the Sooner State.

“We had a hand in the entire process by being that connector and supporter. They came in with everything you would want out of a project, and it’s exciting to see an international company come to Oklahoma,” said Williams who added that the company has bright plans for the future.

“Seeds ‘n Snacks is very forward-thinking with efficiency and streamlining and is looking ahead to how they can not only service Oklahoma but the entire United States,” said Williams.   

The tahini market in the U.S. is booming, and Seeds 'n Snacks, showcased at various national food and beverage conferences, has garnered significant attention. This positive reception hints at a promising future, opening doors to potential opportunities on a larger scale. As the company grows, its product offering is expected to expand to include spices, packaged nuts, energy bars, sesame dressings and nut butter alternatives.