Resident launches door delivery of plastic and chemical-free groceries in HSR
Vandana Pandey, a new resident of HSR Layout, quit her cushy job as a software engineer a year ago, went on a cycling trip across Rajasthan and Gujarat for several months, and moved in to HSR Layout to start an online grocery store with a difference. Her ‘Suunya’ outlet delivers groceries which are plastic and chemical-free.
Born in a farming family where she lived a zero-waste lifestyle in her small village in UP, she finally found a job that stays connected with nature. Soon, she plans to set up a warehouse where customers can visit and fill up their cloth bags and steel containers with nature-friendly goods.
You can place your order through Whatsapp and your paper and plastic-free goods will be delivered to your doorstep. “It’s a self-funded initiative on a small scale, started inside one room in my friend’s house,” she says. “Our focus is not so much on recycling but using resources wisely, because recycled products will eventually lead to a landfill,” says Vandana.
In the first phase, she is providing non-perishable food Items, and will soon venture into home and personal care, fresh fruits, and vegetables, with perishable items to be the last on her list.
Vandana is working with small and medium scale farmers of Karnataka who practice natural farming and don’t add synthetic chemicals, pesticides or fertilisers. “I believe food miles is part of sustainable living, and I want to promote local produce as much possible,” she says.
Why not call it an organic store? “When our air and soil is not organic and polluted, how can the produce be organic? There will be traces of chemicals,” she says. “All we can ensure is there are no external chemicals and pesticides.”
If you are not sure of any so-called food is organic, Vandana has a simple tip. “Your body is smarter than your smartphone. Just connect with it, and it will tell you without any reports and certifications.”
Vandana wants each resident to ‘rethink, refill, reconnect’, and would like Suunya to aid the conversation on the waste we are creating. “Let us all together change the shopping environment and make conscious consumption, the new normal,” she signs off.
THE DELIVERY MODES
1. The minimum amount for home delivery: Rs 1000
2. Delivery Charges:
Picking up from my place in your own container: 5% discount
< 2km: Rs 50
2-5km: Rs 100
>5 to 12 KM: Only if there are 10+ order from the community with delivery at cost.
You can place your order through Whatsapp or call Vandana at 93802-90981.