Creating Community around Eco-friendly Lifestyles

Growing movement around healthy living in Zambia as we grow more conscious about the quality of our food. Influencer farmers like the Radical Farmer and Nurse Farmer Hanene have introduced their audiences to organic farming practices and go further to provide the public with seeds, seedlings, fruit trees and advice to get started on their organic journeys.

These growers are part of a larger community of people committed to living healthier lives. The uBumi organic farmers network is just one example of this and as part of it's outreach, they host a monthly gathering of organic growers known as Green Gatherings.

Key Details:

Location: Greens & Grains Trading Limited / Imvelo Art Café, Leopards Hill Rd Lusaka. Frequency: The third Saturday of every month

Activities: Shop for local, synthetically-untreated organic veggies, meet local producers, and learn practical tips for sustainable living

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhyeAqByaJU

Why is this gathering so significant?

It Lusaka, information is not readily available, especially if you are choosing to follow an unconventional path of growing food without chemicals, processing and preserving food, finding markets for your home goods so a place like this where producers share information amongst each other and the public is invaluable. The group of people who gather here is diverse from consumers, to community activists in all areas including conservation, recycling, compost and even indigenous knowledge.

Knowledge sharing is at the key to the growth of the movement and some of the regular vendors and educators include:

• Back to Basics Organics - homestead tours, home produce (jams, pickles), farm stay

• Namfumu - indigenous foods

• Loctaguna - homestead tours & training, vermicompost

• Zamkanda - urban composting

During the gatherings you can enjoy presentations from experts in various sustainability topics. This is their insights from experience gained on the ground and practical tips on how to apply it in different areas.

If you are interested in whole foods, local foods meeting, sustainable living or meeting the farmer behind your food this is a hub where you can actively engage with like-minded individuals.

In addition you will find the best whole, organic, local foods available in town, everything from artisanal honey, cheeses, jams and fresh fruit and vegetables.