Seed to Salsa Initiative
Bridging Plant Genetics, Culinary Tradition, and Public Science Education.
A public engagement initiative from Plantify, Casa Sanchez Foods, and Norfolk Healthy Produce.
Limited-edition purple tomato salsa debuts at Science in the Park, California State University, East Bay, on October 3, 2026.
What is happening
Plantify is launching Seed to Salsa with Casa Sanchez Foods and Norfolk Healthy Produce. The campaign uses a limited-edition purple tomato salsa as a familiar way into public conversation about plant science, ecology, and food systems.
The salsa uses Norfolk's Purple Tomato™ and is made by Casa Sanchez. It debuts on October 3 at CSUEB's biennial Science in the Park. After the launch, Plantify plans to share limited-edition units through community workshops, school visits, and hands-on learning at Paradise Community Garden.
The film
Seed to Salsa follows the collaboration behind a bioengineered purple tomato salsa: where the tomato is grown, who makes it, how it reaches the public, and the plant science behind it.
In production
From the film
Wheatland
Paradise Community Garden
Wheatland
Paradise Community Garden
Norfolk's Purple TomatoBehind the scenes
Interviews and filming on location.
Come to Science in the Park
Plantify's exhibit at Science in the Park on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at California State University, East Bay, next to Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez. Meet scientists and try the limited-edition purple salsa.
- Date
- Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Time
- 9am to 3pm
- Place
- California State University, East Bay. Music Lawn near the Pioneer Amphitheater. 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542
- Cost
- Free
Who is involved
Plantify
Unincorporated Alameda County & Hayward, California
Educational bridge of the Seed to Salsa initiative. Two core efforts:
- Community facilitation and tomato cultivation Growing at Paradise Community Garden, managing the harvest pipeline to Casa Sanchez Foods, and teaching through garden days and school visits.
- Documentary Plantify's short documentary Seed to Salsa.
Casa Sanchez Foods
Hayward, CA
Four-generation local food manufacturer and distributor of fresh salsas and tortilla chips. Crafts the limited-edition purple tomato salsa for this collaboration.
Norfolk Healthy Produce
Davis, California
Developed the Purple Tomato™ used in the salsa, and is the source of the tomato and of the published science around it. Partner on the Seed to Salsa public engagement initiative.
California State University, East Bay
Hayward, CA
Host site for the public debut at Science in the Park 2026, supporting science education and community outreach across the East Bay.
Norfolk's science
Credit: Norfolk Healthy Produce developed the Purple Tomato™ and hosts the science and growing literature for it. Read it on their site.
How to get involved
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Science in the Park
Plantify's exhibit at Science in the Park on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at California State University, East Bay, next to Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez. Meet scientists and try the limited-edition purple salsa.
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Educators and schools
Paradise Community Garden is open Sundays, 11am to 2pm. Limited school visits and field trips around unincorporated Alameda County are scheduled case by case.
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Documentary updates
Seed to Salsa is in production. Updates via plantify.org/connect.
Credits
- Plantify · Organizer of Seed to Salsa. Documentary production. Paradise Community Garden growing. plantify.org
- Joint press release · Read the official announcement
- Casa Sanchez Foods · Limited-edition purple tomato salsa. casasanchezfoods.com
- Norfolk Healthy Produce · Purple Tomato™ variety and science literature. norfolkhealthyproduce.com
- Linda Renteria Sanchez · Casa Sanchez.
- Film stills · From the Seed to Salsa shoot.
- Science in the Park · Event branding and 2026 Oct. 3 Stand Up for Science poster from acscienceinthepark.org.