A Fresno woman has launched a meal and catering service designed to help you eat healthier.
Janna Melkonian is the founder of Rappit Up, a vegan and vegetarian food business that provides ready-to-eat, all-natural, plant-based meals. The company launched two years ago as a small catering business. Currently, you can find Rappit Up products at Collect Coffee Bar at Campus Pointe by Fresno State, Rio Açai Bowls in downtown Fresno, and Fitness Social at Herndon and Chestnut.
Melkonian also sells her wraps, salads, and sandwiches at the Market on Kern, and offers meal prep services. She says there is a real demand for “healthy, prepared foods.”
Food as medicine
Healthy eating runs in Melkonian’s family. She grew up vegetarian, just like her father and grandmother.
“My grandmother is the one who inspires me to continue to promote health and good foods,” she says. “When she was in her early 20s she became vegetarian. My grandmother is 80 years old and does not take any medications and has never had any health problems.
“I have been cooking and baking since the age of 13 and I have come to believe that the foods we eat every day can either heal us or hurt us,” Melkonian says. “I truly believe that mother nature provides us with fruits and vegetables, and though they are our foods, they are also our medicines and we need to utilize them.”
Rappit Up menu items are full of rich flavors. The Spiced Lentil Wrap, for example, features spiced lentils, shredded red cabbage, carrots, cilantro, green onions, and avocado, and comes with a creamy tahini sauce.
“My goal is to help you incorporate raw foods into your diet as much as possible by showing you that good, delicious-tasting food doesn’t have to be unhealthy,” Melkonian says. “I use real raw ingredients with no artificial flavoring, no preservatives, and no genetically modified ingredients. Most all my vegetables and grains are bought at local farmers market or local family-owned delis.”
Food for all diets—not just herbivores
I can personally attest that Rappit Up isn’t just for vegans and vegetarians. I came across the business while visiting the Market on Kern, and I found the Cauliflower Chickpea Wrap to be so delicious I couldn’t wait to try more. The wrap features roasted cauliflower, red peppers, chickpeas, parsley, green onions, and avocado. Like the Spiced Lentil Wrap, it also comes with the creamy tahini sauce.
“My food is not just for herbivores, it’s for everyone,” Melkonian says. “It is filling, and with the combinations of plant protein, good carbs, and vegetables, you’ll find that Rappit Up foods will surprise you.”
To learn more about Rappit Up, contact Melkonian at TheVeggieRabbit@gmail.com or follow Rappit Up on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Janna Melkonian
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Joanna says
I work at the Fig Garden Library and am Really looking forward to this restaurant opening!! Can’t wait!!