Sanket Mehta once held a stable banking job, but a shocking revelation about the dangers of chemical-heavy farming changed everything. Concerned about what people were eating, he began searching for a cleaner and safer way to grow food.
That search led him to hydroponics, a method of growing plants in water instead of soil. It was sustainable, modern, and efficient. Most people thought he was making a mistake by quitting his job, but he had a strong belief in his vision and the support of a co-founder who shared it.
Together, they started ‘Nutrifresh’, a farm that now grows over 42 types of vegetables and herbs without using any pesticides. Everything is grown in climate-controlled polyhouses, harvested with care, and delivered within 24 hours.
What makes Nutrifresh special is that 80% of the harvesting team is made up of trained rural women who are now earning and supporting their families. So far, the farm has delivered fresh produce to more than 40,000 homes across India, proving that when you believe in your idea, it can change lives.
It all began with one question: Is organic food really organic? In India, the word ‘organic’ is not legally protected, which means it can often be misused. This uncertainty made Sanket and Ganesh Nikam, an old acquaintance, look for a better alternative.
They found it in hydroponics, where plants absorb nutrients directly from water, giving more control over the growing process. In 2019, they launched Nutrifresh in Pune.
Everything, from purifying the water and regulating air flow to planting, harvesting, and packing, is done under strict control. This setup reduces dependency on the weather and keeps the quality high.
Nutrifresh grows everything from lettuce and basil to avocados and blueberries. They sell directly to customers as well as to large retailers and food delivery services. Orders come in through their app, website, and even Google Forms, which they first used during the lockdown. Deliveries happen twice a week to keep costs down. The produce costs a bit more, but customers are paying for clean and fresh food they can trust, grown by a team that is building a better future.
Edited by Vidya Gowri Venkatesh
