Mizoram, which lies in the southernmost part of Northeast India, has a very unexposed and underrepresented indigenous food culture in India. As a region that depends mostly on jhum cultivation systems and forest-based food products for its sustainable well-being, the traditional Mizo cuisine reflects a deep connection with the rich natural resources through its locally sourced ingredients and their indigenous practice of food preservation. Similar to any other community, the indigenous community in Mizoram was affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a disruption in the functioning of the food system due to lockdowns and curfews imposed by the government. This paper aims to explore the impact of the pandemic in the urban neighbourhood of Aizawl and how people share food and support one another. It has been observed that COVID-19 has an effect on the entire process from the farm to the consumer when looking at the food supply chain, one of the most significant sectors of the economy. However, in light of the lockdown, the government of Mizoram has implemented vegetable supply chains to address the problem of scarcity of vegetables. Apart from the government initiatives, there were many instances where vegetables were distributed free of charge in certain Aizawl localities by a local-level task force, NGOs, and even by neighbours, ensuring that no one encountered problems as a result of the nationwide lockdown. This paper also highlights the Mizo people as a close-knit society with a heart for helping others.
