Tucson couple expands salsa biz
AJ’s Fine Foods in La Encantada is the latest grocer to carry Chilttepica Salsa, produced by Tucson couple Gloria and Huémac Badilla.
The store at 2805 E. Skyline Drive began stocking the salsa this week, an AJ’s official confirmed. It sells for $5.49 a container.
“AJ’s took us a few months, but they opened the door for us,” said Gloria Badilla, who quit her day job last May to focus on the salsa business full-time.
That brings to 10 the number of Tucson retailers selling the salsa. Others include two locations of El Herradero Supermarket, Borderlands Brewery and Native Seeds. The couple got a big boost to what they call their Plan B when Costco picked up the salsa for its three Tucson warehouses early this year.
Badilla said landing in AJ’s could get her a chance to pitch Chilttepica Salsa to Bashas’ buyers. Bashas’, parent company of AJ’s, has more than 130 stores statewide.
Plastic-bin maker growing in Eloy
Otto Environmental Systems North America Inc., a maker of waste and recycling containers, says it will add 32 manufacturing and assembly jobs over three years at its plant in Eloy, north of Tucson.
The company, which now employs about 70 workers, initially will hire 12 employees for 2016, according to the economic-development group Sun Corridor Inc.
Over time, the company is expected to add 5,125 square feet of light industrial space at its facility at 901 N. Tweedy Road.
Hiring will be managed by Adecco, 703 N. Olive Ave., Casa Grande. Job applicants may call 1-520-421-1707 for more information.
A recent uptick in business warranted a 30 to 40 percent increase in capacity, Otto environmental operations manager Dwayne Gibson said.
