Toufayan Bakeries, one of the largest family-owned commercial bakeries in America, celebrated 50 years of business this week with a special event featuring company employees, business partners, guests and Anthony Suarez, mayor of Ridgefield, New Jersey, where the bakery is located. 

The event was a surprise for company founder Harry Toufayan, who still oversees operations with his three adult children. The company also marked the milestone anniversary with a $50,000 sponsorship for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Toufayan sells more than 100 varieties of breads and baked goods and is credited with kicking off the pita craze and helping introduce U.S. consumers to ethnic breads and other baked bread innovations.