In a genius move, the Bronx-based company “Small Axe Peppers” decided to launch a community focused initiative for their hot sauce business. They provided hot pepper starters to locals with urban farms for free. The peppers were then bought back by the company at market price for their hot sauces, making it a true Bronx community hot sauce.

“By working together, all of us can produce something that is a little bit bigger than the sum of our parts,” said Daniel Fitzgerald, chief operating officer of Small Axe Peppers.

This initiative was so successful that the company has decided to spread their business across the USA. Branching out to the West Coast, specifically in Oakland and L.A. with an eye out for new locations as well. “This might set the stage for a new kind of community food focused initiative. We were trying to create a product that not only tasted good but was very helpful to the community,” added King Phojanakong, executive chef of Small Axe Peppers. There are now 48 partner gardens working with the company in 8 different cities. The company estimates that 9830 pounds of peppers have been harvested in this system. The peppers used include jalapeño, serrano, ghost, and habanero.

A large amount of the profits from the company go back into providing free pepper starter for local community gardens.