Bengaluru: As the Akshaya Patra Foundation marks its 25th anniversary, the organisation has set an ambitious target to feed 3 million children daily by 2025 through its flagship Mid-Day Meal Programme, Akshay Patra Foundation CEO Sridhar Venkat said.
The Foundation, founded in 2000 with the mission to address child hunger and malnutrition, currently provides nutritious meals to 2.25 million children across 23,000 schools in 16 states and two union territories, he told UNI in an interview here on Saturday.
Over the past quarter-century, Akshaya Patra has evolved into one of India’s largest and most successful social organisations, providing children from underserved communities with meals that not only fight hunger but also support education, Venkat said.
The Foundation has served nearly 5 billion meals since its inception, with a significant portion of that being distributed during humanitarian crises, including over 240 million meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“Feeding a child is not charity, it is a social obligation,” Venkat said. The Foundation’s approach, centred on a sustainable, scalable model, has been built through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), collaborating with the government, corporate sector, and philanthropists to address the dual issues of hunger and education. Its work aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on Zero Hunger and Quality Education.
“We are determined to expand our reach and impact,” Venkat added. “Our vision is not just to increase the number of children we feed but also to make our services unnecessary by ensuring every child has access to food security and education. We are setting our sights on feeding 3 million children by 2025,” he said.
Akshaya Patra’s model is one of innovation, with centralised, semi-automated kitchens enabling the preparation of large quantities of food with high efficiency and minimal costs. The Foundation also harnesses cutting-edge technology, such as its adapted roti-making machine, which produces up to 50,000 rotis in hours, overcoming challenges posed by regional food preferences, Venkat said.
The Foundation’s success can be attributed to its commitment to sustainability. It has adopted a renewable energy policy, using solar power, biogas, and electric vehicles to reduce its carbon footprint, he said. Akshaya Patra also works closely with local communities, school leaders, and teachers to ensure maximum impact and effectiveness in its feeding programme, he added.
The Foundation has received ongoing support from key corporate partners, including Tata Trusts, Infosys Foundation, Deutsche Bank, and ABB, who have helped fund kitchen infrastructure, food safety initiatives, and manpower costs, Venkat said. These collaborations are integral to the Foundation’s ability to scale its operations and serve millions of children across the country.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Akshaya Patra will be hosting a series of events to honour its partners, beneficiaries, and the communities that have supported its mission. These celebrations will further highlight the Foundation’s commitment to eradicating hunger and promoting education for India’s children, Venkat said.
As Akshaya Patra sets its sights on the next 25 years, it remains unwavering in its resolve to ensure that no child is deprived of the nourishment and education they deserve.
