Summa Salts: Where The Garden and Kitchen Come Together
The expression “salt of the earth” is often used for people regarded as genuine, unpretentious and virtuous. The phrase certainly applies to Tim and Sarah McElrea, who found their calling making flavored versions of this ancient mineral through their business Summa Salts, which they launched in 2021. As survivors of trauma and heartache who found love later in life, the couple is appreciative of this opportunity to heal as they create a business together.
Retired science teacher Sarah unknowingly started down the path of entrepreneurship when she began making herb-infused salts as gifts for friends and family. At the onset of the pandemic her husband Tim built a garden for her in their suburban backyard, reigniting a passion instilled in his childhood in Georgia. In January 2021 they welcomed their daughter, Tori, which led them both to reevaluate their priorities. Driven by their newfound fervor for growing plants and a desire to spend as much quality time together as possible, they began experimenting in the kitchen using the herbs and peppers from their garden. “Learning how to treat each herb, plucking each leaf, hand-washing, evaluating ratios based on water content and oven drying to create flavorful salts has been a labor of love,” says Sarah.
Amid this process the couple have cultivated partnerships with a vast community of farmers and makers, including Dave the Plant Man and Thyme Flies. They decided that whatever they couldn’t grow themselves would be sourced only from local farms and nurseries. "Early on I spent time asking myself 'Who is our community?' and answering that question led us to the support network of customers, farmers and other creators that we have now," says Sarah. Every element of their endeavor has been mindfully crafted to “not feed the narcissistic corporate system,” says Tim. Since their journey began, they have gained an awareness of food seasonality, injustice and sustainability, and sustainable gardening practices such as composting.
“Summa Salts come in grinders, not shakers, because the fresh herbs and salt need to be ground for a more even distribution on food,” says Sarah. Tantalizing flavors like Vampire Killer (redolent of garlic), Habanero Cilantro, Datil Parsley and Pink Celery quickly caught the public’s attention at popup events and local markets such as Dig Local’s Beaches Green Market in Jacksonville Beach. In addition to making the salts, Sarah handles online order fulfillment and social media, while Tim grows the herbs and peppers along with other tasks. They offer free delivery with online orders and are determined to keep their salts affordable and accessible. They also plan to expand their product line. Cocktail and baking salts are on Sarah’s horizon while Tim is refining his rub recipes.
The undertaking inspires their future nonprofit goal, a community care center called Rhiannon’s Garden. They hope to buy and renovate an old church to change what community care looks like. "Our dream is to create a space that will provide licensed therapeutic counseling, gardening classes and social activities to our community at no cost," says Sarah. Rhiannon is both a Welsh goddess with a poignant story and also Sarah’s middle name, and the McElraes hope Rhiannon’s Garden will be a safe space of nature for other survivors to mend using connection to earth and life.
