Delhi-based startup set to innovate and scale healthy snacking across India’s urban and semi-urban markets
Seed Funding Boost from Meri Punji IMF
Delhi-based healthy snacking startup Khari Foods has successfully raised ₹3 crore in a seed funding round led by Meri Punji IMF Private Limited. This investment signals growing investor confidence in clean-label food brands catering to the health-conscious Indian consumer.
The fresh capital will empower Khari Foods to intensify its research and development efforts, accelerate product innovation, expand its workforce, and enhance marketing and distribution capabilities, particularly focusing on tier I and tier II cities where demand for nutritious snacks is on the rise.
Founded with a Vision for Healthier Snacking
Established in 2022 by entrepreneurs Yash and Sunil Bansal, Khari Foods is committed to redefining snacking by providing clean-label options free from palm oil and refined flour (maida). Their product lineup includes Ragi Crispies, Oats Crispies, Jowar Puffs, and snacks made from dates, all designed to appeal to health-aware consumers aged between 20 and 40.
The founders emphasize that their mission is not just about healthier ingredients but also about creating tasty snacks that fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles. This has helped the brand carve a niche in urban and semi-urban markets where consumers are increasingly mindful about food quality.
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Rapid Growth and Strong Financial Health
Khari Foods runs a bootstrapped model and has been profitable since the day the company was started – a great achievement for any FMCG startup. The company is projecting an impressive 208% annual revenue run rate (ARR) growth in fiscal 2025, indicating strong traction in the market.
Khari Foods has an owned manufacturing facility in Haryana that provides strict quality control and full accountability of the supply chain process. Being vertically integrated allows the company to standardize and uniform many components of the branded products, and pivot quickly in accordance with changing consumer preference trends.
Riding the Wave of the Clean-Label Trend
Consumer preferences in India are rapidly shifting toward clean-label products, foods made with simple, recognizable ingredients and free from artificial additives. According to industry reports by Research and Markets, the Indian healthy snacks market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 30% over the next five years.
To add, NielsenIQ data shows that 60% of Indian consumers are already looking for healthier and natural food options. The post-pandemic has unleashed healthy food demand and precision as in the research above, was more tricky than just looking at demand, however, this demand is a great opportunity for Khari Foods and to leverage snacks to meet that new demand.
Addressing Health Concerns through Ingredient Innovation
Khari Foods’ mission to offer palm oil-free and maida free products responds to concerns about obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases attributed to unhealthy snacking habits. In addition, the company is focusing on millets (ragi, jowar) as the government in India is promoting millets for better nutrition security and sustainable agriculture.
These ingredients are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making Khari Foods’ offerings a nutritious alternative to conventional snacks laden with refined flours and unhealthy fats.
Expanding Reach and Product Portfolio
The capital infusion will allow Khari Foods to introduce new product categories as well as having a stronger presence on both digital platforms and retail outlets. Given that India’s e-commerce ecosystem is on an upward trajectory, the startup will take advantage of the online marketplace, as well as a traditional (offline) retail distribution strategy, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities.
This scale of growth will help to make healthier snacking options available to audiences beyond major urban centers, and into wider swathes of society.
Founders’ Perspective and Future Plans
Yash and Sunil Bansal express optimism about the company’s trajectory: “Our goal is to make healthy snacking not only beneficial but also enjoyable and convenient. “This funding round will allow us to accelerate innovation and expand into new markets that are looking for better snack options.”
In a time when consumers are more concerned about wellness and transparency, Khari Foods’ strong commitment to quality and innovation positions it as an exciting player in India’s clean-label snacking category.
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