Organic greens at Cuffe Parade's farmer's market

Residents of Cuffe Parade have joined hands with the local corporator to organise an organic farmers' market on November 25 next to Maker Arcade.

"The idea is to promote healthy living among people and support farmers. Earlier I would have to go to Bandra to buy organic vegetables but now it will be easier," said Harshita Narwekar, the local corporator behind the idea's implementation. "I had mentioned having an organic market in my manifesto,' Narwekar added.

Following this Saturday's market, it will then return on December 3, 9 and 17. "After that, we will renew the permission and ensure that it is continued in the future as well. It can either be at the same place or some other place," said Narwekar.

Residents are also using the opportunity to take up the larger issue of a healthy environment. "On December 10, we will take up our no-plastic drive in a bigger way. We are anyway asking our residents not to use plastic bags. We have also spoken to some shopkeepers and one of them has already stopped keeping plastic bags. When people come to the farmers' market, we will discourage them from using plastic bags," said Padmakar Nadekar, secretary general, CPRA. "Self-help groups will be selling cloth bags to residents who forget to carry their own," added Narwekar.

To make it a livelier experience, the residents have also organised sitting arrangements and activities for children. "We have activities for kids like pottery and candyfloss made of out of raw sugar. The idea is to try and give it the feel of a mela so that people can look forward to more than the big draw of organic food," said Narwekar.