Organic Shandy, Alwarpet

The word "Shandy" comes from the Tamil word "Sandhai" meaning farmer's market. And that is exactly what happens at The Shandy, located next to MCTM school, Alwarpet. Every day, organic farmers from all over TN and India send their precious produce here to be displayed and sold wholesale (to other organic stores) and retail. 

The place hides in plain sight right on the main road. Walking along Luz Church road one evening, I came across this house buzzing with activity, crates of fruit n veggies everywhere. There was no board of any sort so I kept walking thinking it was a storehouse. But then curiosity got the better of me and I headed back and enquired. They said it was an organic fruit and vegetable store. 

So what's so special about this place you ask? Aren't there tons of organic branded stores selling like hot cakes now? 

Well, the difference is that this place's owners are passionate farmers themselves who have been growing "organically" for more than 2 decades now.  Much before the word organic got into the Indian mainstream. Mr. Hari Sethuraman and Mr. PB Murali started off growing organic mangoes and paddy in their land in Punnamai village outside Chennai and since then have become very involved in helping other farmers grow their produce as "naturally" as possible. 

Prices of organic products at the Shandy are kept affordable since the owners believe organic should be a social movement. Many of the customers who buy from here are also farmers who sell their produce here. 

  

Organic mangoes - They ripen quick and seem to spoil faster than normally grown mangoes (with chemicals/pesticide). 

Jaljeera and Ginger Nectar!

The fridge also has some other interesting items like freshly made cheeses!

That's Mr. Hari (R) and Mr. Murali (L) - the Founders

                                                                                       Organic vegetables on display! 

There was a busy man coordinating who was luckily the founder, Mr Hari. Once I started speaking to him, it was apparent this was not the usual organic shop but much more than that

He explained to me how the soil has the capability to regenerate itself through intelligent planting that mimics natural ecosystems. Their farm uses Integrated farming techniques that naturally preserve (through natural microbial interactions) the soil's chemical balance rather than blindly using NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) based fertilizers. 

The outlet has no AC, just one fridge n freezer for milk products, everything was out in the open and there were plenty of mangoes everywhere. Came to know later that this is because refrigerating produce is against organic principles! 

A Chat about Growing the right way...

I spoke at length to Mr Hari the younger of the duo about their journey over the years. Unlike the other big organic stores, the owners of The Shandy know most of the farmers personally over the years. In fact, they have helped many farmers grow food without pesticides with their know-how. Ask him about any food on the shelves and he would wax eloquent about its speciality and the story behind the farmer who cultivated it.

Like he told me about the sulphurless sugar treated with roots of Okra (rs 90 per kg), the superb grapes that come seasonally from Nashik grown by a passionate farmer (only their dried grapes/raisins are available now), the wild cashews that grow free range and the Ginger nectar that is made through an elaborate process in-house. Since I wanted a healthy breakfast alternative, he recommended the millet mix that can be made into a porridge. 

When to buy

Veggies are sold every Tuesday, Wed, Thursday. Seasonal fruits are sold on all days. Sunday - Holiday.

Foods I bought

Since their speciality is mangoes, I decided to get a kilo of Baganapalli mangoes which were smelling heavenly. rs 90/ kilo. Mine had to ripen for two days before I had them. Lovely taste even though I cut them open a day early. The sweetness was just perfect. They also have other variants of mangoes.

Sulphurless sugar: Rs 92/kg

Organic sugar where the molasses is removed without using sulphur. Instead they use Okra root (ladiesfinger) to remove it naturally. It has a coloured tinge to it and taste different to the usual white sugar.

Milk (Vanam brand) 70 per litre

The milk is kept frozen along with butter. I got a litre of it to check it out since it was recommended. However, since I bought a non frozen packet and travelled for an hour I felt it had gone slightly sour. Tasted very different from the Aavin milk we buy lots of flavor. The cow breed whose milk is sold here is predominantly Sahiwal among other native breeds and yes, they are A2 milk! Will be trying the milk again. Be sure to get the frozen packets to bear travel in the heat. While I was at the Shandy, the owner of the dairy farm came to get their veggies n fruits!

Dry Grapes/Raisins: Rs60.

While talking with Hari, he was all praise for a passionate farmer friend from Nashik who apparently cultivates amazing grapes and sends them over. Asked him if they were available but unfortunately no. But they did have stock of dry grapes/raisins made from those grapes which were sun-dried. I bought a packet of them to try. He wasn't kidding, the raisins were unlike any I've had before. Dark raisins with a deep, complex flavour and big sized, I finished it off in a day! Must try if in stock.

Jaljeera from The Warm Brown - rs 70 for 200 ml

Noticed this cute Jaljeera bottle in the fridge next to an even cuter bottle of Ginger nectar (rs 150) with a cork stop. Impressed with the lovely mild flavors. I've found other brands too strong for my liking but this one was great. Great for the tummy as well. The Shandy stocks only a few outside organic brands that they can vouch for. In fact, some of the companies on their shelf source the raw fruits/nuts from them and sell back the finished product to The Shandy.

Millet Mix: Rs. 120 for 500 gms.

This was recommended when I asked for a healthy breakfast item. This can be prepared like Oats and had in the mornings he said. Yet to try it. Smells like ragi ladoo. :D

Broken Wheat Rava - rs 35

Yet to use this one as well.

In conclusion, a very nice place to try if you're looking for actually organic consumables. It's been running for years now.