Alberta’s Best:  Karmalean’s Custom Fit Foods

by Asha Menon, Associate Editor

If you’ve ever dieted down for a show, you know that you spend HOURS purchasing and preparing food.  Five to six meals a day: cutting, peeling, mashing, boiling, bbq’ing, baking, steaming… it’s like a full time job.

Maybe you’re not a competitor – you’re just striving to maintain balance in your nutrition and lifestyle.  You work, you train, you sleep, you cook, you eat and then you’re done.  DONE.  No time or energy for anything else.

Well, I have the perfect solution for all of you.  What would you say to pre-cooked, pre-measured, pre-packaged fresh food, delivered to your door for less than the restaurant price?  Oh – you’re dieting and have specific needs?  No worries – these folks will customize your diet just for you.  And the prices are awesome!  Fish, chicken, beef, buffalo… breakfast, lunch and dinner: Let me introduce you to Karmalean’s Custom Fit Foods.  Owned and operated by two of our very own Alberta athletes, Karmalean’s is the future of food.  Read the interview below to find out why.

Alberta’s Best:  Karmalean’s Custom Fit Foods

Who are the owners/operators? How many staff do you have?

Karmalean’s Custom Fit Foods Inc is comprised of two equal partners, Carmen Tocheniuk (below left - 2004 Nationals)and Jessica Oscroft (below right - 2006 Alberta Provincials).  Both Carmen and Jessica act as owners and operators of the business.  Carmen has graduated with a Fitness and Nutrition diploma and has been instructed and certified in Food Safety level 1 and 2 by Capital Health.  Jessica has extensive experience in the operations of businesses of all sizes and handles the accounting and administrative aspects of Karmalean’s.  Both partners have extensive experience in the fitness and nutrition industry.

How can potential customers contact you?

For now the best way to contact us is by phone [(780)984-5034], or e-mail at karmaleans@hotmail.com.  A website is in the works for the future.

How long has the company been established? Who do you serve?

Karmalean’s was started on July 1, 2006 and was incorporated in August 2006.  Since that time the business has found huge success in designing and providing convenient yet healthy food choices and individually customized meals to athletes, diabetics, seniors, children, and individuals who are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  These meals are served pre-packaged for the convenience of the customer.  Other services we offer are customized diets, which are then individually prepared, portioned and packaged, dependent upon the needs of the client.

How do your meals work? Why should we buy from Karmalean’s?

This company was started with the intention of helping people who desire to live a healthy lifestyle, but are challenged in trying to reach their nutrition goals.  Our vision is to create a product line that will offer people similar convenience and cost of fast food restaurants and convenience stores, but will also offer a genuinely nutritious meal.  Our vision is that when people see our name they will associate it with a company they can always trust to provide them with a product that was created with their best interests in mind. 

Why did you start Karmalean’s?

Our mission is to assist and support people who are striving to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle by providing them with a heath-conscious, convenient meal, providing society with the first convenient healthy pre-packaged meal - ready to eat.

What information is provided with your food?

The nutritional breakdown of calories is provided on our labels at this time.  We are currently working with a food analysis laboratory to get the complete macronutrient breakdown (including sodium and fiber).

How fresh is the food?

Our food is cooked and packaged on the same day.  With the technology we are using to package our meals, the food is good in a refrigerator for up to 28 days.

What about food allergies?  Do you customize meals for people with allergies?

Yes, we can customize any diet to suit any individual need.

What are the principles that guide your company?

1. 1.     We will not compromise the integrity of our product for marketing purposes.

2. 2.     We will not use any artificial flavors, coloring or preservatives in our food.

3. 3.     We will not manufacture products with more than five ingredients.

4. 4.     We will always use the best quality of food available.

5. 5.     All of the products we produce will be appropriate for people trying to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.