It’s not exactly trending — not yet, anyhow — but #Sriracha2Denton is a thing, thanks to a Denton City Council member who smells an opportunity in the wake of a Southern California dust-up involving the beloved hot sauce that’s giving some residents burning eyes and headaches.
Kevin Roden threw it out there earlier today, and it caught on — because, well, why not. We asked via email if he’s serious. His response, via email: Absolutely.
“We have ample assets for a company like this,” he responded. Among them: “ready to go industrial land, a city-owned energy company with much power to leverage, located right where I35E and I35W converge for easy logistics and distribution, two major universities, a growing urban farm district, and citizens who love the product.”
Roden looped in Aimee Bissett, the director of Denton’s Office of Economic Development, who said that the city has yet to reach out to Huy Fong Foods or its president, David Tran. There’s still much research to be done, she says. For instance, she says, “I suspect but haven’t confirmed yet that their pepper supply may be grown in California.” That could put a dent in Denton’s dreams of becoming home to the most beloved hot sauce this side of, oh, Tabasco.
But, she says, “we have a growing urban farm district and local food movement and have the ability to bring them here.”
I suspect a devil-may-care attitude about environmental regulation may be a factor as well. I doubt this will amount to anything, but you do have to admire the initiative. See here and here for more on the dispute, and here for some helpful hints on how to survive the shortage if the dispute drags on. Texas Monthly has more.