Akshayakalpa Organic celebrates ‘Forgotten Foods’ on World Food Day

Bengaluru: After the remarkable response to the World Food Day celebration last year, Akshayakalpa Organic organised the second edition of ‘Forgotten Foods – Let’s rediscover the roots’ – a specially-curated, fully immersive hands-on experience of food, nutrition and nature at the Tiptur Farm, near Bangalore. The two day event – organised on 28th and 29th October 2023 – witnessed a footfall of about 100 individuals, coming from different walks of life including families and organic food enthusiasts.

“Food is a cornerstone of our daily lives, and it’s easy to overlook the vital role that farmers play in providing us with this essential sustenance. Through this event, our objective is to educate consumers on the journey that food undertakes to reach their homes. We aim to elucidate the numerous benefits of organic consumption for both individual health and well-being, as well as its positive impact on the environment. Our mission is to empower consumers with the knowledge of how organic food travels from the farm to their table through engaging workshops,” commented Mr. Shashi Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Akshayakalpa Organic.

“To uphold the theme we’ve selected for our World Food Day event, ‘Forgotten Foods – Let’s Rediscover the Roots,’ our primary aim is to encourage consumers to embark on a journey to uncover the sources of their food. We have highlighted the virtues of traditional foods, explore the art of sowing and planting, and foster meaningful connections through various farm-related activities and insightful discussions,” he further added.

Over the weekend, the visitors were engaged in a series of enlightening panel discussions that were held to educate and inform them on various important topics. One of the discussions, hosted by Mr. Apoorva, delved into the vital significance of honey bees and apiary practices. The second panel, led by ‘Soil Vasu,’ emphasized the critical role of soil in shaping food nutrition. Lastly, GVV Shastri’s discussion focused on the importance of making wise food choices, conserving natural resources, and underscored the ethical dimension, equating wastage of water and food to a crime.

The event also highlighted the Good Food Movement, where attention was brought to the organic food culture that is preserved by Akshayakalpa Organic. “At Akshayakalpa Organic, we take great pride in championing an essential aspect of our ecosystem: the sequestration of carbon. On a global scale, soil carbon levels are falling at an alarming rate. After working on our farms for over 14 years, the soil carbon at Akshayakalpa farms have reached 3.6%.

“Our thriving farms are abundant with lush grass, serving as both a reservoir for carbon and a critical source of nourishment for our cattle. The manure produced by our cows enriches the soil, creating a virtuous cycle of regenerative agriculture. This continuous cycle actively elevates soil carbon levels, playing a crucial role in the battle against climate change,” Mr. Shashi Kumar added when asked about the discussion on Good Food Movement at the farm.

The event was concluded with an Organic Farmer’s Market, offering visitors the opportunity to buy freshly harvested organic produce.
As a part of the ‘Forgotten Foods – Lets rediscover the roots’ initiative, Akshayakalpa Organic had organised similar events in Hyderabad and Chennai in spirit of the World Food Day celebrations.