Guacamole first cultivated in South Central Mexico about 10,000 years ago. In the early 1900s, avocados frequently went by the name "alligator pear". The Hass avocado is named after postal worker Rudolph Hass who purchased a seedling in 1926 from a California farmer and patented it in 1935. Guacamole has increased avocado sales in the US, especially on Super Bowl Sunday and Cinco de Mayo. The rising consumption of guacamole is most likely due to the U.S. government lifting a ban on avocado imports in the 1990s and the growth of the U.S. Latino population. Guacamole dip is traditionally made by
Vital ingredient being a record year for both sales and profit. In 2011 Vital Ingredient secured £2.75 million in funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial’s Breakthrough programme. The company's annual turnover has since doubled to £12 million. In April 2016 the chain underwent a £12m management buyout led by Alex Heynes, which was backed by private equity house LDC. The chain also secured £4 million in growth capital from Santander as they look to grow to over 40 stores Vital Ingredient primarily markets its own range of tossed salads and soups made on site. Juices, smoothies and hot breakfasts are also included