As Akshaya Patra Foundation prepares to host its 5 billionth meal on March 17, Chairman Draupadi Murmu To mark this milestone, the occasion marks an important chapter in one of the world’s largest school feeding programmes. What started as just 1,500 meals at the ISKCON temple in Bengaluru in 2000 has grown into a nationwide initiative that currently feeds more than 2.35 million children every day. In this conversation, Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, founder and chairman of Akshaya Patra Foundation, discusses the organization’s 25-year journey and its work supporting school nutrition programs across India. He reviewed partnerships with the government under the PM POSHAN scheme, the role of technology in scaling up large-scale meal operations, and initiatives such as the Morning Nutrition Programme, which aims to strengthen the link between nutrition, education and long-term child development.1. With Draupadi murmu With the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s $5 billion meal set to be delivered on March 17, how important is this milestone to the organization and the scale of impact it has achieved so far?The 5 billion meal milestone is a profound moment not just for Akshaya Patra, but for India as well. When we started cooking 1,500 meals at the ISKCON Bangalore Temple in 2000, we could not have imagined where we would be 25 years later. We’ve been serving children for 25 years, and each of the 5 billion meals we serve represents our commitment to the world so that no child has to choose between food and education; instead, they get the best of both.We are honored to have Draupadi Murmuji, President of India, as our chief guest to mark this monumental milestone. Her presence is a strong testament to the fact that ensuring the nutrition and well-being of India’s children is a national priority. The 5 billion meal milestone proves that when compassion is combined with commitment, anything is possible.We also thank the Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhanagreed to be our guest of honor for this event.2. The foundation recently launched the Morning Nutrition Plan. What gaps does this initiative aim to address? How widespread has the initiative been implemented so far?The morning nutrition program is in line with our commitment to ensure that no child is deprived of an education because of hunger. We observed many children coming to school hungry. By implementing this program, we strive to address nutritional gaps in the morning.A child who starts school well nourished can truly make the most of educational opportunities. The Morning Nutrition Plan is our commitment to achieving this goal. We are currently implementing Morning Nutrition Programs in six states, reaching 800,000 children, and are working to expand the program to more locations.3. With millions of meals prepared every day, what processes are in place to ensure food safety, nutritional balance and quality control at every stage?At Akshaya Patra, we combine scale with systems to ensure high standards of hygiene, consistency and efficiency. A key element is automation, including equipment such as rice washing machines, dal cooking systems, vegetable cutters and dosa making machines, which minimize manual handling and enable the preparation of large quantities of food of consistent quality.We operate under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that manage procurement, storage, preparation and packaging. Raw materials are quality checked upon arrival and food safety protocols are followed throughout the cooking process. Regular internal audits and monitoring help maintain compliance with hygiene and nutritional standards.Technology-enabled monitoring systems help track production, ingredient utilization and daily meal needs, ensuring operational efficiency and reducing waste. Additionally, scientifically designed menus ensure meals meet nutritional guidelines while reflecting local tastes.Finally, a streamlined logistics system, supported by specially designed food delivery vehicles, ensures that freshly prepared meals arrive at schools on time, while maintaining quality and safety.4. The organization works closely with various state governments under the mid-day meal programme. How do these partnerships impact your field operations?Our partnerships with the Government of India and state governments are fundamental to our work. Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister, Narendra ModiPM POSHAN plans to continue strengthening the link between nutrition and education.As the executive partner of PM POSHAN, this partnership provides us with the majority of the funding needed to reach, empower and operate. The government provides the policy framework, maps our schools and supports meal cost donations. We bring an operating model, technology, a trained workforce and additional funding raised from corporate partners and individual donors. Thus, the government provides support in policy, grants and other important areas, while Akshaya Patra focuses on large-scale meal preparation, logistics and quality assurance. Our shared commitment enables us to plan, invest and operate with confidence.
5. As conversations around nutrition and education become more interconnected, how does Akshaya Patra see its role in supporting the holistic development of children beyond addressing hunger?Hungry children cannot concentrate, absorb, or will. Healthy children are more likely to attend school regularly and focus better on their studies. When we provide meals, we don’t just address hunger. We are creating the conditions for learning and growth… allowing children to imagine the future.For girls, the impact is intergenerational. A well-bred, well-bred girl raised a well-bred, well-bred family. In this sense, our work is about more than just food. It’s about human potential.We also design and implement initiatives beyond meals to support the holistic development of children. These include the Give Every Dream a Chance program, which guides children to pursue their fields of interest, and the Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education.6. The Organization has grown significantly over the past 25 years. What are some of the key milestones or shifts that will help accelerate this growth?In our 25-year journey, several milestones stand out.The first time was in 2003, when the Government of India took a landmark decision to invite NGOs as implementing partners of the Mid-day Meal (MDM) programme. It sets the stage for us to operate at a scale we wouldn’t be able to achieve on our own.Our partnership with state governments enables the program to expand across districts and reach children in different parts of the country. These partnerships are critical in adapting our operations to local needs while maintaining consistency in meal quality and delivery.Another important driver of growth is leveraging technology and operational innovation. The development of large-scale, technology-enabled kitchens and robust supply chain systems allows us to deliver nutritious meals efficiently, safely and at scale, helping us reach more children every year.The support of corporate partners and individual donors has also played a vital role in our journey. Their contributions have facilitated the creation of kitchen infrastructure, business expansion and program innovation, strengthening the public-private partnership model that underpins our work.Akshaya Patra’s work has been recognized with awards such as the Gandhi Peace Prize, National Child Welfare Award, Nikkei Asia PrizeBBC Global Food Champion Award, etc.1. Our systems and processes have become case studies at leading universities such as Harvard, Stanford and London Business School. In 20242, we celebrated the four billion meal milestone at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. We are lucky to have the President join us as we celebrate the 5 billion meal milestone on March 17 and complete our 25th anniversary. The encouragement of these outstanding leaders, as well as national and international awards and recognition, greatly enhances the credibility of the organization.These examples raise the profile of school feeding, increase stakeholder confidence and enable us to strengthen partnerships and reach more children over time.7. Technology and innovation have become central to large-scale initiatives to improve society. How does Akshaya Patra integrate these elements into its kitchen and supply chain systems?Technology and innovation play a key role in enabling us to deliver meals at scale efficiently and consistently. Every day, our kitchens prepare meals for 2.35 million children with precision and consistency, ensuring every meal meets nutritional standards. Our semi-automated kitchen uses large rice and dal pots and high-capacity roti making machines, allowing us to prepare large quantities of meals efficiently while maintaining hygiene and consistency. On the logistics side, we use route optimization and fleet management tools to ensure timely delivery across thousands of schools.Our goal is to provide the same quality and care to every child every day. Technology and innovation help us achieve this.8. Looking ahead, what will be the next phase of the foundation’s development focus in India and on the global stage?We strive to reach more children and enhance nutrition access. To this end, we intend to design and implement initiatives to supplement the midday meal programme. For example, the Morning Nutrition Plan ensures children start their day in a nutritious way and are ready to learn. Likewise, school revitalization programs create safe and hygienic dining spaces for children. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with government, institutional and philanthropic supporters to sustain and expand the program’s reach.Our goal is to support broader efforts to address classroom hunger and improve access to education globally through knowledge sharing and partnerships. In 2024, we partnered with Kenyan nonprofit Food4Education as a knowledge partner to share insights on kitchen operations and expansion strategies3. We will continue to build such partnerships and share our operational experience and scalable models with other countries to explore large-scale school feeding programs.Inspired by the success of Akshaya Patra, the World Food Movement was launched last year to take the idea of large-scale nutrition programs beyond India. The initiative aims to support students and communities around the world so that children can learn with energy and communities can thrive with dignity.refer to: Disclaimer – The above content is non-editorial and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, in connection therewith and does not warrant, guarantee or necessarily endorse any content.
