Erin Schneider is a wife, mother, yoga instructor, high school French teacher and self-professed “salsa mama.” Thirteen years ago, Erin participated in Relay for Life to fundraiser event to support a friend’s battle with cancer. It was around Cinco de Mayo, and she needed a fundraiser idea to generate money.

Erin remembered that her dad, Dan, used to make some really good salsa — known as “Dan’s famous salsa.” Erin asked him for the recipe, tweaked few things (including adding cilantro) and made the salsa for donations. After that, people increasingly started to ask Erin for her salsa. She continued to make it for charitable causes. Erin loved making salsa, but as her family grew, she had less time to devote to salsa making.  

Fast forward several years. With her kids now older and more self-sufficient, Erin decided to turn back to her Salsa Mama love and develop it into a serious business. Last year her youngest son, Evan, took over most of the responsibilities of producing and selling the salsa. He has enjoyed making market friends and serving his loyal customers. 

Erin and Evan both get so much joy from making their salsa and seeing how much people enjoy it. 

It's simple, but that’s what makes it so good. Salsa Mama features a delicious balance of smooth and chunky tomatoes, abundant cilantro, sweet onions and a super-secret savory spice blend.

Erin and Evan's salsa is made fresh each market day in small batches. They believes their salsa is a way to connect with people. Her motto is “serving the community with love one pint of salsa at a time.” Back in Erin’s Relay for Life days, Erin and Mark’s oldest son, Matthew, drew the company logo at age 5. Salsa Mama still uses that logo today. 

Stop by Salsa Mama’s booth on Saturdays at the Lenexa Farmers Market and sample some salsa.