Nowadays, almost every Kochi-based restaurateur insists that they work with ingredients that are: fresh, local, organic, and seasonal.Most gourmands have learned to take such statements with a pinch of salt. However, when Thanvi Fathima Rahman, previously a research assistant at Thiruvananthapuram’s CET, couldn’t find a reliable source of organically grown fruits for her six-month-old child she decided to do something about it.
“Up until I had the baby, I was like most others my age—I would eat what I could find,” begins 28-year-old Thanvi, elaborating,“But, now I have begun to care about where the food/fruits/vegetables we consume are sourced from. That’s why I started an initiative called SnackBox, an ‘organic fair’ modelled after a farmer’s market.
Conscious kitchen
This civil engineer-turned-entrepreneur hopes to create a space where consumers can directly interact with homegrown endeavours. This exhibition, which is said to begin in full-swing on the first Sunday of every month from February 2018, has received over 30 enquiries from trustworthy homemakers and farmers alike.
“Since this is my first attempt at such a venture, I want to do a trial-run before scaling up. Snackbox will be a hosting a miniature version of its event—with 12 vendors who will showcase organic fruits like lychees, vegetarian Konkani snacks, North Indian treats like kachori, Malabari delicacies, etc—on December 23 at Kochi’s Palm House Retreat. Prices for the various products range from `45 to `1,999,” claims the Aluva native. Visitors can also opt for an ‘ethically-sourced’ Christmas hamper loaded with eclectic homegrown specials like a fig-honey crush, idiyirachi, cookies, truffles, and even a potted succulent plant.
anoop.p@newindianexpress.com
@godsonlymistake