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Despite continuing efforts against them by the BDS movement (boycott, divestment and sanctions), many Israeli companies have a large and growing presence in the U.S. retail sector. Among them is Dorot Foods Inc., whose roots go back 20 years to the garlic fields of Kibbutz Dorot in the northwestern area of the Negev.

A kibbutz farmer (who still actively works in the garlic fields) was looking for a use for the garlic bulbs that were not saleable in the retail stores — bulbs that were too big, small or cracked.

He decided to peel and chop the garlic, adding oil and lemon juice as natural preservatives, and started filling jars and placing them in the freezer for easy use.

A few fellow kibbutzniks loved the idea and asked him to make a few jars for them, and very soon almost every retail store in Israel was selling the jars. A few years later the jars were replaced by trays (similar to ice cube trays) and new products were added.

The company — which is fully owned by the kibbutz — was established in 1992; the factory is located onsite and there are more than 3,500 acres of field crops.

Today, Dorot’s “little red tray” is sold in many markets worldwide and in every state in the U.S. Dorot’s product line continues to grow and now includes almost 30 different items, including garlic and herbs, pasta sauces, rice-herb mixes and meat marinades.

Dorot products are available in stores such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger, Shoprite and others (for a complete list, as well as recipes, visit www.mydorot.com).