The 8th anniversary of Sunday Haat marked a meaningful milestone in a journey deeply rooted in the lives, livelihoods, and culture of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the wider North Bengal region. What began as a small community initiative has steadily grown into a vibrant, people-led platform where local economies, creativity, and traditions thrive together.
This year’s celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, agripreneurs, fashion designers, drama artists, handicraft artisans, and creative practitioners. The haat once again became a living space for exchange — of ideas, produce, art, and stories — reaffirming the power of community-driven markets in sustaining livelihoods with dignity.
A significant highlight of this journey is the emergence of Himal Agri Food Tech Pvt. Ltd., a new-age Himalayan startup born from the grassroots ecosystem of Sunday Haat. Anchored in ethical sourcing, value addition, and fair partnerships, the startup is focused on fueling inclusive growth by creating sustainable market access for farmers and rural producers, bridging traditional knowledge with modern food innovation.
We were honoured by the visit of Mrs. Neha Sinha, Assistant Manager, Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur, who interacted closely with farmers and participants. Her engagement reinforced the importance of institutional support in strengthening grassroots agripreneurship and innovation.
The success of the 8th anniversary was made possible through the continued collaboration of community-driven initiatives such as Himalayan Organic Life, COFAM, Mango Tree Haat, Modella Care Taker School, and ACT. Each of these partners contributes uniquely towards building a more inclusive, sustainable, and culturally rooted ecosystem in the region.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all guests, farmers, fellow agripreneurs, artisans, performers, patrons, and volunteers whose trust and participation have shaped Sunday Haat over the years.
As we move forward, Sunday Haat remains committed to strengthening local livelihoods, nurturing ethical entrepreneurship, and ensuring that growth in North Bengal is inclusive, community-owned, and sustainable. Eight years on, the journey continues — powered by people and purpose
