Organic vegetables to be up for grabs on Sundays

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, February 2

From now on, tricity people can utilise their weekly off to give due attention to health. From fresh tomatoes to broccoli, all kinds of organic vegetables will be available at “Tricity Farmers Market” at Bella Vista Hotel in Sector 5, Panchkula, every Sunday. Dilbir Foundation, an Amritsar-based NGO, has come up with a “farm to fork” concept, helping organic farmers to have a direct connect with customers. A few individuals running their own pro-nature campaigns have joined hands to ensure Tricity residents adopt pure and chemical-free food.

Rahul Sharma, a farmer, said, “The market would enable farmers to sell their organic produce without paying commission to agents. A Supreme Court ruling says that people should have right to life, it would only be possible when we would have healthy food.”

Manjot Moonstar Doad, founder of Parshada, said, “We need to get back to nature for a healthy lifestyle. We organise regular workshops on nutrition, food and health.”

“We are being forced to eat food full of chemicals. It’s a nexus between insurance companies, hospitals and pesticide companies. I quit my job to benefit my community,” she said.

Gunbir Singh, president, Dilbir Foundation, said, “We are providing a platform to farmers and consumer to meet at single place. It is an attempt to keep middlemen at the bay. There is an urgent need to remedy the absolute degradation of air, soil and water. It’s a win-win situation for both farmers and customers, who will get fresh and nutritious fruits, vegetables, grains and other products directly from the farmers.”