Press & Media
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.
Our Story Got Featured on Nosh.com | Read Full Article Here
Named recipient of Equity Transfer Program & joins new Food Integrity Collective as brand cohort member
Heray Spice, a Chicago-based family-owned business specializing in premium Afghan saffron, has been named the latest recipient of the Non-GMO Project's Equitable Transfer Program (ETP) and has signed on as a founding brand member of the Project's new Food Integrity Collective.
Equity Transfer Program Grant
The ETP, launched by the Project in 2023, supports equity and inclusion in the natural products industry by offering financial resources to Black, Indigenous, multi-racial, and people of color (BIMPOC)-led brands for Non-GMO Project verification costs.
We got featured on Cook County Small Business Source
Mohammad Salehi opened his business, Heray Spice, approximately seven years ago. Since then, he has navigated a pandemic, made changes to his targeted customer base, and supported his employees in the U.S. and his home country—all while raising two young sons with his wife.
Thanks to support from Allies for Community Business and the Cook County Small Business Source, today Heray Spice, located in the Lake View neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, is thriving—and looking to grow.
Heray Spice offers a long list of spices, including saffron, that can be used in a variety of dishes.
While Mohammad takes pride in being the well-educated leader of his business, he realizes the importance of receiving advice.
Heray Spice, a family-owned business from Chicago, has recently enhanced its commitment to food integrity by partnering with the Non-GMO Project.
Heray Spice was awarded the Non-GMO Project's Equitable Transfer Program grant, which aims to support brands led by Black, Indigenous, multi-racial, and people of color in obtaining Non-GMO verification. The company has utilized the grant to achieve Non-GMO certification for several products, including Afghan saffron and various seeds, which will soon feature the recognizable Butterfly label on their packaging.
Additionally, Heray Spice has become a founding member of the Food Integrity Collective, an initiative aimed at transforming the food retail system by addressing underlying issues related to food and health. This aligns with the company’s mission to ensure fair trade practices and community empowerment through its cooperative model, which supports Afghan farmers.
We are thrilled to announce that as of August 13th, 2024, Heray Spice has officially achieved NON-GMO Verified status for five of our premium products! This monumental achievement underscores our dedication to quality, transparency, and responsible sourcing.
