Hoyo is a company producing traditional sambusas from scratch in Bloomington, Minn. Hoyo (HOY-oh), the Somali word for mother, employs Somali mothers, many of whom have ownership in the company, to make sambusas (a traditional dish of spiced meat and lentils wrapped in flakey pastry) and flavorful sauces and salsas. Hoyo first started offering ready-to-bake sambusa at Seward Co-op in 2017—and now it’s available at more than 20 grocery stores and co-ops throughout the metro.

As an organization, they build a vibrant workforce of Somali women who successfully contribute to the economy and create self-sufficiency in a safe and culturally-appropriate environment. Hoyo’s products are a way in which the mothers and women of Hoyo are able to share a piece of their culture with the Twin Cities community while also providing for their families. Their recipe originates from Halima, a mother of six, and each sambusa is hand-folded, allowing you to experience traditional and authentic Somali cuisine. View the video below to learn more about Hoyo.

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Hoyo and the Impact of COVID-19

To ensure the health and safety of their staff, Hoyo has adapted their production and operations to align with CDC guidelines for social distancing. While Hoyo has faced challenges in expansion due market uncertainty, Hoyo owner, Matt Glover, shared that, “Seward Co-op [stores] continue to be one of our best-selling stores.” In this economically unprecedented time, Seward Co-op is a lifeline to many Community Foods producers offering a reliable and predictable revenue source for their hard work! When we buy from Hoyo at Seward Co-op, we support not only our co-op; we also support a Hoyo’s mission in supporting and empowering Somali women in the Twin Cities area.

Hoyo Recipe Video

Watch as Community Engagement Specialist, Maiv Mos, demonstrate a recipe for roasted eggplant using Hoyo’s tamarind and date hot sauce.

View Full Recipe