Based in Madras, India, the Foundation of Occupational Development, or FOOD, is a non-profit organization that works to implement sustainable development projects that often involve ITC.

In a recent project, FOOD provided cellular technology and marketing information so that urban women could receive higher payments for their domestically produced goods. FOOD in partnership with infoDev established a closed group communication network for community based women organizations to promote inter-city direct sales of products made by artisans and skilled workers. This is accomplished by providing the community based organizations (CBOs) with communications links by way of cellular phones to enable them to network for marketing their products. Existing CBOs are organized in such a way that products made by CBOs in one city will be sent to a CBO in another city for marketing in their area.

With these higher payment, the women are expected to pay for the use of the technology. Ideally, they will become completely independent and will no longer require the help of FOOD.