LIFT UP LOCAL 014
Written by Marcus McKissic
📷 courtesy of Jena McShane Photography
Karma Spices is the evolving journey of Vinita Parekh. Vinita grew up in Pune, India roughly four hours away from Mumbai, where lush, green forest melds into bustling city and stunning architecture. Her family owned a grain business as well as a grocery store, which exposed Vinita to a unique view on how people selected food to put into their bodies. She paid close attention to the the way people would feel, smell and inspect items, as they delicately selected ingredients from their grocery lists. These observations became ingrained in her, and were something she came to value.
Moving to the United States in 2004 with her husband Raj with three bags of clothes and three bags of kitchen utensils, Vinita didn't have a working visa, so she took on internships and enrolled in school. Already having obtained two master’s degrees from the University of Pune, she began coursework at Wayne State University. Vinita earned yet another master’s degree, ultimately being offered an adjunct faculty position in the WSU communications department. Shortly thereafter, Vinita, Raj, and their small family embarked on a journey that would lead to the creation of Karma Spices.
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
It began when Vinita crafted lentil packets with spices as a solution to her college-aged son’s snack cravings. Being stuck with choosing from Cheetos or Doritos as so many college kids do, her son craved healthy and flavorful options as he attended school in California. Mom sent lentils and spices. Those lentils evolved into snack puffs made from popped water lily seeds. She knew she was on to something when she realized how versatile the ancients seeds could be. They are non GMO, high in protein and can be mixed in yogurts, curry, salads or just popped into your mouth like chips - only far healthier.
“Karma is eating good, thinking good, and doing good for self and community. All of that starts with good food. What we put it, we get out.””
In 2019, Karma Spices was launched at Vegbash, a festival celebrating plant-based cuisine in Shelby Township, and were very well-received. People wanted more. Vinita and Raj began expanding upon Karma Spices and created the Karma Wellness Kitchen. The idea was to bring fresh healthy products to the people. As Vinita eloquently stated, “Karma is eating good, thinking good and doing good for self and community. All of that starts with good food. What we put in, we get out.”
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Things progressed quickly, and they landed on the shelves of Capital City Market which exposed their product to a larger audience. To manage the increased growth, Vinita made recurring trips to India every three months to procure the authentic spices needed to give their snacks their unique flavor. Karma Spices snacks are also gluten, corn, soy and grain free, making them friendly for a variety of dietary needs. The foundation for Karma Spices began at her family’s grocery business in Pune, wherein the importance was on quality of ingredients and what was being put into each person’s body. Years later it would harken back to that ethos as an answer to anyone looking for great snacks which are made with equal care and attention.
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography