Chennai Foodscape Project
Chennai Foodscape Project is an initiative for enabling sustainable transformation of the Food Systems of Chennai. Foodscape akin to landscape, is an overview of food consumption patterns in a locality. The aim is to enable the transition of Chennai’s Food system towards Organic and healthy food (Organic), shorter supply chain (Local) and Fair price for farmers and consumers (Just). The Chennai Foodscape Project will focus on the food consumption pattern of Chennai residents and the farmers in the peri-urban districts of Chengalpettu, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram.
Aram Organic Farmers Market
We are organising a monthly organic farmers market in T Nagar, Chennai. Organic Farmers, women groups, and small-scale social entrepreneurs who produce 100% organic food products and eco-friendly home utility products set up stalls in the market. The market is a zero-plastic event and includes other aspects like kids’ engagement sessions, workshops, waste collection drives, Samathuva Pongal celebration etc. The market is having a very good reception among consumers while it is supporting around 100 organic farmers (including farmer groups) and around 10 small-scale social entrepreneurs in marketing their produce with average overall sale of approx. Rs 4 lakhs/market. The market aims to increase Authenticity, Accessibility and Affordability of organic food in Chennai. We are planning to expand it to more places and increase the frequency.
Consumer Engagement
Good Food Campaign
We are organising Weekend vivasayi (translating to Weekend Farmer), an organic farm visit program for children, youth, and the public of Chennai. The program is customized according to the audience but generally involves discussion on food and farming, farm tour, simple farm activities and lunch/breakfast. It is also emerging as a platform for people from the city to escape the city life and reconnect with nature. We have identified suitable organic farms nearby Chennai and collaborate with them for such programs. We have already engaged over 100 people in the farm visits
Farmers Engagement
Connecting Peri-urban Organic Farmers: We are developing a database of organic farmers in the peri-urban districts – Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur. The Organic Farmers Database currently has 160 organic farmers with 50 farmers being authenticated through field visits. The aim is to connect farmers within the districts and also with relevant market opportunities and build communication channels. We are planning to update the database comprehensively and organize farmers meetings for connection and knowledge sharing.
