Press & Media
We’re honored to share that Heray Spice was featured in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) blog. The article highlights our journey from the saffron fields of Herat, Afghanistan to the IFT FIRST Startup Pavilion in Chicago. It celebrates our mission to empower Afghan farmers, promote transparency, and bring premium, ethically sourced saffron to the world.
Here are few paragraphs and quick summary of it:
Mohammad Salehi, founder of Heray Spice—a farmer-owned cooperative sourcing premium saffron and spices from Afghanistan—returned to the Startup Pavilion at IFT FIRST (July 13–16, McCormick Place, Chicago) after a successful debut last year. Growing up on a saffron farm in Herat, Mohammad pursued fair-trade mission delivery by eliminating middlemen, ensuring Afghan growers receive a living wage. At IFT FIRST, he shared his story in The Pitch competition and connected with buyers, scientists, and packaging vendors—citing the expo’s scientific R&D focus as a key driver behind new customers and sustainable packaging partnerships.
Eight years ago, if someone had told me that the story of our small saffron company would one day be featured in The Wall Street Journal—in both digital and print—I would have smiled and shaken my head in disbelief. Back then, Heray Spice was just an idea rooted in hope: a vision to connect farmers in Afghanistan with kitchens across America, and to do it with dignity, authenticity, and transparency.
Today, that dream has come true.
Our feature in The Wall Street Journal is more than just a proud moment. It’s a milestone in a journey built on resilience, community, and a deep love for the land and people of Herat, Afghanistan.
You can read the article here on Wall Street Journal: An Afghan in Chicago Finds Success Selling Saffron From Back Home.
In the last decade, diaspora spice businesses have been quietly rewriting the rules of the spice trade. These businesses—often led by immigrants, refugees, and first-generation entrepreneurs—bring authenticity, ethics, and cultural depth to an industry that has long been dominated by faceless commodity brokers and extractive supply chains.
We are honored that Heray Spice was included on Eater.com article for best places to source your spices from.
We are in the list of "These sites will help you fill your pantry with fancy salt, imported peppercorns, and all of your favorite ground herbs and spice blends."
by Francky Knapp Updated Apr 8, 2025, 2:33pm EDT
At Heray Spice, we are thrilled to announce that our very own Mohammad Salehi, Co-Founder and Owner, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Non-GMO Project Organization. This exciting development is a testament to Mohammad’s dedication to sustainable farming, ethical business practices, and his commitment to promoting transparency in the food industry.
As a long-life farmer, and former US Army linguest, Mohammad has brought unparalleled discipline, leadership, and vision to the agricultural sector in Afghanistan. His journey in sustainable farming and cooperative business models has been nothing short of inspiring. Through Heray Spice, Mohammad has been a vocal advocate for ethical sourcing, empowering smallholder farmers, and creating sustainable economic opportunities in Afghanistan.
Chicago-based, family-owned, Afghan saffron company, Heray Spice, is the latest recipient of the Non-GMO Project Equitable Transfer Program (ETP) grant. Launched in 2023, the project supports equity and inclusion in the natural products industry by supplying financial resources to Black, Indigenous, multi-racial, and people of color (BIMPOC)-led brands for Non-GMO Project verification costs. Heray Spice used their grant to complete Non_GMO Project verification for five of its products including: Afghan Saffron, Afghan Caraway Seeds, Green Coriander Seeds, Herati Mint Leaves, and Afghan Wild Cumin Seeds.
