Our Story

Theresa "The Salsa Lady" & daughter Erin working together at the Farmer's Market.

Zia Sun is the venture...and passion, of the Sanchez-Armstrong Family. Theresa and Joe moved to Sierra Madre, California, from the mountains of New Mexico. In the Southwest, food--like most everything else, is inspired by nature and spirit. Theresa has since infused those Southwestern flavors into our unique, flavorful salsas.

What is Zia, you ask?

Zia (Zee-uh) is the name of an indigenous Native American tribe that lives in New Mexico. New Mexico uses their ancient symbol for the sun as its state symbol. Maybe you've seen it -

About the Zia people

To the Zia Indian, the sacred number four (rays on the sun) is embodied in:

the earth, with its four directions;
the year, with its four seasons;
the day, with the sunrise, noon, evening and night;
and life, with its four divisions - childhood, youth, manhood, and old age.

Everything is bound together in a circle of life and love, without beginning, without end. The Zia also believe that in this great brotherhood of all things, man has four sacred obligations:

He must develop a strong body;
a clear mind;
a pure spirit;
and, a devotion to the welfare of his people.

Zia Sun products are made with these obligations ever present.

From our family to yours...Enjoy and have Fun!