Our Story
From farm to jar, discover the passion and craftsmanship behind Piña Picante Salsa.
How It All Started
Pina Picante was inspired by the legacy of my grandmother, Pauline Aguirre—affectionately called "Pina" by those who couldn't quite pronounce her name. Her legendary salsa lit up every family gathering, and her bold spirit sparked my love for spice. When she passed in 2021, I knew I had to honor her with a creation of my own. Named after her and flavored with pineapple (piña), Pina Picante is a tribute to her unforgettable heat and sweetness.
What started as small-batch salsas for friends and family quickly gained popularity at local farmers' markets. People couldn't get enough of the fresh, vibrant flavors that captured the essence of California's agricultural bounty.
Today, we remain committed to our roots: creating exceptional salsas using sustainable practices and the finest locally sourced ingredients. Every jar is still handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality and flavor—just as Pina would have wanted.
Supporting Those Who Feed Us
Our commitment extends beyond crafting exceptional salsas to supporting the hardworking individuals who make our products possible.
Our Commitment to Farm Worker Rights
At Piña Picante, we believe that the people who harvest our ingredients deserve fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity in their labor. Farm workers are the backbone of our food system, yet they often face challenging working conditions and economic hardship.
That's why we've made a commitment to give back to the community that makes our business possible. We proudly donate 15% of our profits to the California Farmworker Foundation, an organization dedicated to advocating for farm workers' rights, improving working conditions, and supporting agricultural communities.
The California Farmworker Foundation works tirelessly to improve the lives of agricultural workers throughout California, providing essential services, advocacy, and support to the communities that harvest our food. Learn more about their important work at californiafarmworkers.org.
How Your Purchase Makes a Difference
- Supports fair wage advocacy programs
- Funds workplace safety initiatives
- Provides educational resources and legal support
- Strengthens agricultural communities
Every Jar Makes a Difference
When you choose Piña Picante Salsa, you're not just enjoying exceptional flavor—you're supporting a mission to create positive change in agricultural communities. Together, we can build a more equitable food system.
Our Values
The principles that guide everything we do at Piña Picante Salsa.
Sustainability
We're committed to sustainable farming practices that protect our land for future generations. From water conservation to organic growing methods, we strive to minimize our environmental impact.
Quality
We never compromise on quality. From selecting the perfect peppers to our meticulous small-batch production process, excellence is our standard at every step.
Community
We support local farmers and businesses, creating a stronger community and economy. We believe in fair partnerships and giving back to the region that makes our products possible.
From Farm to Jar
Our meticulous process ensures every jar delivers exceptional flavor.
Growing
We grow many of our peppers and herbs on our own farm using sustainable practices. What we don't grow ourselves comes from trusted local farmers.
Harvesting
Each pepper is hand-picked at peak ripeness to ensure maximum flavor and nutritional value. Timing is everything when it comes to perfect salsa.
Crafting
Our small-batch production process preserves the vibrant flavors of fresh ingredients. We use traditional methods with a modern twist.
Bottling
Each jar is carefully filled, sealed, and labeled by hand. We take pride in the craftsmanship that goes into every step of our process.
Meet Our Team
The passionate people behind Piña Picante Salsa.
Gabriela Fernandez
Founder & Head Salsa Maker
Our very own expert chef with a passion of spicing things up and helping her community.
Matthew Casey
Culinary Director
Resident salsa consumer and aspiring better process control expert.
Atlas and Cleo
Farm Manager
Atlas and Cleo are responsible for filling our lives with love and nothing more.
Taste the Piña Picante Difference
Experience our handcrafted salsas and discover why they're the secret ingredient in kitchens across the country.
Shop Our Products