The salsa category is filled with small producers, many of whom have succeeded at packaging their home recipes for sale at farmers’ markets and local retail outlets, alongside a handful of national brands that populate grocery shelves. As consumers have become more interested in spicy and authentic flavors, salsa has remained a strong seller. SFA News Daily asked three retail buyers to name their category favorites.
Lesley Wooding, Barons Market, San Diego, California
• Emerald Valley Organic Salsa
• La Salsa Chilena Roasted Garlic Salsa
• Salpica Tomato Jalapeno Salsa
• Tacupeto Molka Fire Roasted Salsa
• Tacupeto Verde Con Mango
“In San Diego we take our salsa pretty seriously. One of our local favorites is the Tacupeto Molka salsa, with fire roasted tomatoes and chile de arbol for a smoky kick that’s different from anything else on the shelf.” -- Lesley Wooding, Barons Market, Alpine, California
Laura Clark, Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, Greenville, South Carolina
• Blue Moon Specialty Foods Fresh Medium Salsa
• Daylilies Fresh Salsa (available when tomatoes are in season)
• Food Cravings Salsa
• Lowcountry Produce Peach Salsa
“A big reason salsa is growing in popularity is its versatility, both in how it's made and how it's used. Fresh salsa is such a great vehicle for seasonal fruits in the summer; Daylilies exemplifies this so well, as their flavors change almost weekly to follow the fruits that are in season. More savory, smoky jarred salsas, like Food Cravings’ salsa, while good year round, make a wonderful addition to savory dishes in the colder months.” – Laura Clark, Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, Greenville, South Carolina
Mike McMahon, Bristol Farms, Carson, California
• Bristol Farms Salsa
• Late July Salsa
• Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa
“By far and away Bristol Farms has the best private label jarred salsa known to man. We have the best formulas and stand up against any brand.” -- Mike McMahon, Bristol Farms, Carson, California
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