The Community Kitchen stall smells amazing. A large pot of vegetable stew bubbles over the fire as villagers chop fresh ingredients. ‘We share meals here,’ the cook says. ‘It saves resources and brings us closer together.’

Ranjana grins. ‘In the city, my family eats separately. My dad orders pizza, my mom makes soup, and I just grab whatever is in the fridge. This seems so… nice!’

The cook laughs. ‘It is. Eating together reminds us that food is more than just fuel. It is about connection, doing things together.

1. What is one benefit of sharing meals in a community?
2. Why does cooking together help reduce waste?

At the Food Preservation stall, jars of pickles, dried fruits, and fermented veggies line the shelves. ‘We preserve food so we don’t waste it,’ a villager explains. ‘Pickling, drying, and fermenting are great ways to keep food for months.’

Ranjana looks surprised. ‘In the city, my mom throws out vegetables if they go bad. I didn’t know you could save them this way!’
The villager nods. ‘Food waste is a big problem. Here, we make sure every bit of food is used wisely.

1. What is one reason people preserve food in ecovillages?
2. Which of these is a method of food preservation?

The Permaculture stall looks like a jungle. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even small trees are growing together. The guide smiles. ‘This is permaculture. Plants grow in layers, just like in nature. The big trees give shade, the mulch keeps the soil moist, and everything works together.’

Ranjana scratches their head. ‘In the city, we plant one kind of tree along the sidewalk, and sometimes they just die. Why is that?’
‘Because nature doesn’t work in monocultures,’ the guide explains. ‘Diversity keeps everything healthy.’

1. What is one benefit of permaculture?
2. Why does diversity help plants grow better?

They are at the Organic Farming stall. Rows of red tomatoes, greens, and plump carrots are on display. A farmer explains, ‘We don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, we use compost and natural pest control, like introducing ladybugs.’

Ranjana looks worried. ‘My mom once got sick from eating a salad. She said because it was sprayed with manure.’
The farmer nods. ‘That’s why we’re careful. We compost the manure to kill harmful bacteria before using it as fertilizer. It’s safe and makes the soil healthier.’

1. What makes composted manure safe to use?
2. What’s one reason farmers in ecovillages avoid synthetic fertilizers?