Salsa that a Marine would love

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -- (11/10/09) -- It's a week to honor our nation's veterans, and today the Marine Corps is celebrating its 234th birthday.

One Mid-Michigan Marine has served his country, and is now serving up salsa.

There's something spicy coming out of VFW Post 822. "One of my goals when I started was to be the salsa king of Mid-Michigan," said Jarhead Salsa co-founder Dave Smith.

Since retiring from the Marines and General Motors last year, Dave Smith and his dad, Tom, have been pumping out gallons and gallons of Jarhead Salsa.

"Dave is the CEO and I'm the COO. That means that I squeeze the lemons and limes," Tom Smith said.

Dave dreamed up the idea for Jarhead Salsa during his 20-year run as a mess hall cook. "My mom thought I was crazy, but, I thought, instead of sitting around and doing nothing, I thought we should give this a shot and help people at the same time."

Ten percent of Jarhead sales go right back toward helping local vets. "I know that the membership here appreciates the salsa, and I know it's a good product," said Marine Tom Schutz.

It's all fresh vegetables. You put it in the grinder, dump it out here in the bowl, add some seasoning, take a taste.

Jarhead doesn't end with chips and salsa. Dave and Tom envision a full line of products down the road.

"Mix it with Miracle Whip for a salad dressing. It makes a tremendous potato topping, not to mention a Bloody Mary mix," Tom said.

With a label and barcode already in place, Dave is one step closer toward earning his Ferris Bueller-inspired nickname.

"Abe Frohman, sausage king of Chicago. I'm Dave Smith, salsa king of Flint."

Jarhead Salsa is available online, and at several Grand Blanc area stores.

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business, workforce, local, marc jacobson

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