Hedgie’s Hot Stuff, Belchertown, MA

Hedgie's is the highest quality, best tasting, all-natural salsa on the market today! They use only the freshest produce, which is 90% locally grown, purchased directly Harvest Farm of Whately, MA. Their spices come from a small local spice company and they buy their vinegar directly from the manufacturer in 55 gallon drums to reduce waste. The result is a vibrant salsa you’ll feel good about eating.

After 20 years of making this salsa for his family, Steve Nelson finally caved in to the demands to make it a business. Lucky for him the Franklin County CDC in Greenfield, Massachusetts, was available to provide support, expertise, and a commercial kitchen in which to start.

Hedgie is the Nelson’s pet hedgehog. Steve’s kids actually came up with the name of the salsa, and also test for heat (since hot to Steve is a raw habañero, he is no longer qualified to judge heat).

Hedgie’s employs local people to work for a local company that buys local produce whenever possible.