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    	<h1>CSA or 'farm sharing' through HBT</h1>
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<p>Most of us are aware that profit from food is impossible if farming and food supply is carried out in the spirit of ahimsa. In spite of the fact that food is an everyday necessity or perhaps precisely because it is one, the proportion of income spent on food decreases as income increases. It is why our country's (and other countries') farmers are in the state they're in. It is also why our earth is in the state it is in.</p>
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<p>To underline our efforts to reclaim food from the clutches of commodification we are proposing the idea of family farms/ farmers (similar to that of family doctor). We want to encourage the deepening of trust, responsibility and reciprocity within our human and ecological communities.</p>
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<p>Beginning in monsoon (2011) 20 farmers  pledged their lands and labour to the practice of sustainable farming methods.  MOFCA supported the farmers with sharing of technical know-how and other farming resources, creating an assured market and a fair, consistent price for their produce and creating and managing the supply chain logistics.</p>
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<p>Each season, depending on the acreage available and the yield estimated we offer a limited number of farm shares for public issue. As a shareholder you receive a share of the bounty for each week of harvest. In effect, you are paying the true cost of growing the food (in a sustainable and just way) and bringing it to you for the duration of the season. You are also helping in the long-term promotion of sustainable farming by enabling MOFCA to share resources among farmers and also to help consumers and the wider public learn to be more conscious about the food they eat.
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<!--<p>As a shareholder you are paying the true cost of growing the food (in a sustainable and just way) and bringing it to you for the duration of the season. You are also helping in the long-term promotion of sustainable farming by enabling MOFCA to share resources among farmers and also to help consumers and the wider public learn to be more conscious about the food they eat.</p>
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<h1>Why become a shareholder?</h1>
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<p>As a shareholder and consumer of seasonal, local organic food you are <span class="boldText">investing in your health</span> everyday. You will have access to nutritious vegetables, produced organically. By eating local and in season vegetables you will be eating them at their freshest, most natural state, and at a time when they will most benefit you.</p>   
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<p>As a shareholder you are <span class="boldText">investing in your community.</span> As consumers have become more and more disconnected from the process of food production they have also become more disconnected from the human and ecological communities that support this process. By shareholding you will have the  opportunity to personally get to know the farmers and they will know who's eating the food they are growing. Food traditions can be celebrated and kept alive among family and friends.</p>
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<p>As a shareholder you are <span class="boldText">investing in your planet.</span> Even though increasingly fewer and fewer people are farming the earth, it is the responsibility of all of us to maintain the health of the earth. Through your support of organic practices you can do this. By buying local you are reducing the distance food travels to reach you- your food miles. And by preregistering as a shareholder you enable farmers to better plan their growing cycle thereby reducing wastages.</p>
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<p>As a shareholder you are <span class="boldText">investing in learning.</span> You will have the opportunity to visit the farms where the food is grown and be re-introduced to traditional (forgotten) vegetables and different ways to prepare and store them. Shareholding is a great way to introduce children to various aspects of food and its production, nature and the community.</p>
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<p>As a shareholder you are <span class="boldText">investing in your local economy.</span> Without intermediaries, shareholders benefit from reasonable, predetermined prices not subject to economic fluctuations or false scarcities. Wastages that occur from excess produce not being sold will be minimized, which in turn will reduce losses to the farmer and keep costs to the consumer under control. Farmers also benefit from fair prices paid directly to them.</p>
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<!--<h1>Shareholder Terms</h1>
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<p>1.	You, the consumer, will partner with MOFCA for one <span class="boldText">growing season.</span> The monsoon cycle begins in May with sowing and a harvest is expected from July to October.</p>
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<p>2.	At the time of registering, you will be required to give a contribution of <span class="boldText">Rs. 3000/-</span> for the season. This amount represents a shared responsibility for the costs of vegetable production and logistics for the season as well as for the undertaking of certain projects to ensure the long term sustainability of the project.</p><br>
<p>2	A list of vegetables that will be grown during the season will be made available so consumers will know what to expect.</p><br>
<p>4.	Each week, on a pre-determined day, your tokri/share of the produce will be delivered to your pre-selected <span class="boldText">pick-up point.</span> Members are requested to collect their tokris the same day during the hours specified by the respective pick-up point. If possible, arrangements for delivery will be made available at actuals for those interested.</p><br>
<p>5.	Each tokri will contain a proportionate share (in quantity and variety) of the produce harvested that week. Each week, depending upon availability, we will try to vary the vegetables included in the tokri. The quantities supplied during the harvest will also vary during the season generally peaking at the middle of the season and tapering off at the beginning and end of the season.</p><br>
<p>6.	In case you <span class="boldText">do not want a tokri</span> for a week or more during the season you are requested to inform us in advance if you would like for us to donate it for you or if you are gifting it to someone and who will pick it up on your behalf.</p><br>  
<p>7.	In case of <span class="boldText">special, one-off requests</span> where a larger quantity is required, the allocation will be made only after all the regular registered baskets are filled.</p><br>
<p>8.	Occasionally, in addition to vegetables, farmers will have <span class="boldText">fruits and other provisions</span> (e.g. cereals, pulses, oils, etc) for sale. Additional costs and other details will be provided as and when available.  Occasionally these are from farmers outside of the MOFCA group but are organic farmers whose commitment to sustainable farming we are convinced of.</p><br>
<p>9.	Consumer shareholders will from time to time have access to <span class="boldText">resources</span> (e.g. recipes) and <span class="boldText">activities</span> (demonstrations, workshops, farm visits, etc) to further their learning about growing and eating seasonal, local, food.</p><br>
<p>10.	Shareholders who would like to to continue for the <span class="boldText">next season</span> are requested to intimate us by the 1st of September 2011. At that time we will update shareholders about any modifications in policy, costs, etc for the next season.</p> 
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<h1>The True Cost of our Food or Why Can't my Food be Cheaper?</h1>
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<p class="boldText">Accounts from HBT's 1st winter season (Sept 2010- March 2011)</p>

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<table id="costs">
 
 <th align="left" class="boldText">COSTS</th>
<tr><td>Vegetable</td>                                             		 <td>(-)</td>        <td>77,926</td> </tr>
<tr><td>Transport</td>                                                   <td>(-)</td>        <td>42,500</td></tr>
<tr><td>Misc (phone, seeds, jute and partial payment for crates and bags)</td>         	 <td>(-)</td>    <td>32,500</td></tr>
<tr><td>Additional resources:</td></tr>
<tr><td>Time for transport, pick up, sorting and packing, coordination, management, etc (60+ hours per week):</td>           	  		<td></td><td>Donated by volunteers</td></tr>
<tr><td>Space and resources at the pick up points :</td><td></td>                       <td>Donated by volunteers</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>

<tr><td><em>Total cost</em></td>        					 <td><em>(-)</em></td>        <td><em>152,926</em></td></tr>

<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>

<th align="left" class="boldText">INCOME from sales</th>                                       			<td>(+)</td>       <td>94,886</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<th align="left" class="boldText">LOSS</th>                                                                  		<td>(-)</td>      <td>58,040</td></tr>
<tr><td>Loss shared among consumers (135)</td>                                   		<td>(-)</td>        <td>429</td></tr>
<tr><td>Initial Deposit paid by Consumers</td>                                    		<td>(+)</td>       <td>500</td></tr>
<tr><td>Balance payable after cutting losses</td>                                 		<td>(+)</td>     <td>70/-per partner *</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td><em>*rounded off except if defaulted on picking up a tokri; in which case the amount is deducted from  deposit.</em></td></tr>
</table>

<p>Our first season's accounts give some indication of the costs involved in growing and transporting food from farm to table. Of course, this being our first season there was more learning than efficiency. While we will get better at it, cheap food will never be our goal for market prices do not reveal the true costs nor the extent of exploitation, of people and resources. A model that is just and sustainable and with minimal loss is what we are aiming for.</p>
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<p>At this point we are committed to paying farmers a rate of 25/- per kilo for any vegetable they supply. For the long duration crops like roots and tubers they receive a slightly higher rate. This is far above the rate they typically receive in the market.</p>
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<p>For the monsoon season, we are also factoring in the costs for those items that were donated for the first season, largely labour, space and resources. Some amount of resources, donated as well as included in the costing is earmarked for long term projects (please refer to extension activities) and other supportive tasks. Keeping these in mind the investment cost for one share, for an estimated weekly delivery of 16 weeks of harvest for the monsoon season is Rs 3,000/-.</p> 
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<p>Because we believe healthy food is everyone's birthright and we understand that there may be some that cannot afford to give a downpayment of Rs 3,000 we request those who are interested to come and speak to us. We are willing to work out a resource exchange commitment (typically time and energy) for the season.</p>
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<h1>Suggestions for a Great Tokri Experience</h1>

<p>Schemes like Hari Bhari Tokri are highly individualised to the needs and circumstances of its members- both farmers and consumers. Especially because of this and since we are in the early stages of our project, we request your forgiveness for any unforeseen goof ups (as much as we may try to avoid them). It's only natural! We will get better.</p>
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<p>In the meantime, we vouch for the intention to place people before profit in the production of food. We will try and cater as far as possible to the needs of both farmers and consumers and continue to strengthen the ties between them. As partners, we request (and need) your participation in the form of questions, suggestions, feedback and offers of help.</p>
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<p>As fellow consumers, we also advise against the expectation that your entire consumption of vegetables be local, seasonal, organic. Given the current logistics of Mumbai and the unpredictability of nature this might be unreasonable. At the same time, as city dwellers unaccustomed to eating seasonally, you and your family might need to relearn a few habits. We advise being gentle but creative as you move on this path towards eating more healthily. We will of course be happy to offer whatever help we can to enable you to do so.</p>
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<h1>Extension activities</h1>
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<p>We have become accustomed to "what we want, when we want". We must now re-learn how to eat what Nature provides in plenty "where we are, when we are".</p>
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<p>Consumer education and community building  to facilitate use of the tokri veggies might include;
dealing with large quantities of seasonal food- recipes, preservation
introducing "new" foods- uncultivated, forgotten,
 celebrating (slow) food- sharing traditional food preparation methods, cooking together, film screenings, food meditation newsletter, blog, recipe exchange, etc.<br>
Also farm visits. Linking to other closely related food movements- urban farming.</p>
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<p>While we initially considered a participatory guarantee scheme (PGS) system which emphasises peer group accountability with regards to on-farm policy and practice, because of the distances between farms this is not quite viable. We decided to develop an internal certification process using various criteria drawn from the PGS standards and creating a team including both farmer and consumer representatives of MOFCA that will visit farms and understand their views and practices of sustainability. We will  support farmers as they transition to organic and eventually natural farming.</p>
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<p>Seed saving and other resource sharing and networking activities to support on-farm work has started on a small scale.</p>
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