Dehradun, nestled in the corner of a petrol pump on the busy East Canal Road is what would catch the passers-by eye. A quaint wooden-hut structure with ‘KiWi’ written in bold green. This KiWi has nothing in common with either the fruit Kiwi or the flightless birds native to New Zealand. KiWi is an innovative outlet, the one-of-its-kind in Dehradun started in October 2017 has grown to become a one-stop-shop for those who are looking for healthy and nutritious food.
‘KiWi’ stands for Ki = Kisan/Farmers; Wi = Window/Opportunity and is the brain child of 29 year old Abhinav Ahluwalia who spent his childhood in the Doon Valley. Today he works with a team of 12-15 young men and women from 9 to 9, 7 days a week promoting a healthy, organic, local and conscious food alternate for his varied customers. Abhinav tells us, “KiWi considers farmers as the backbone of India, and works directly with them at the grass root level to encourage and engage them in organic agriculture.”
Armed with an MBA degree in Rural management from the School of Rural Management Bhubaneshwar, Abhinav has had vast experience of having worked with the best in his field which all came together in setting up KiWi.
Today, the store is a window of opportunity for local farmers to sell their product at better price as well as to get aid and assistance from the Kiwi team when it comes to use of better technique and know-how regarding organic agriculture. On the other hand consumers get to buy fresh and organic fruits, vegetables, pulses, dry fruits, spices, tea, honey, flour, coffee, milk, squash straight from the farm which is processed, cleaned, packed at the facility which is also an ISO 2200 and ISO 9001 certified facility with eco-friendly packaging.
Abhinav adds, “We are also an certified organic processor as per Indian, US and European organic standards. We at Kiwi work to facilitate a direct relationship between the consumer and the farmers, which is beneficial to both.”
After a successful participation at an International Organic Food Exhibition in Germany last year KiWi is now exploring export possibilities as well as working on replicating their success model Pan India as well. We wish the team all the very best in their future endeavour.
