Our journey began in the year 2000 with a vision to ensure that “No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.” Starting with just 1,500 children in Bengaluru, we have grown into one of the world’s largest NGO-run school feeding programme, serving more than 2.33 million beneficiaries every day across 16 states and 3 union territories. Over the years, our work has expanded into multiple feeding initiatives, each designed to address hunger in a holistic way.

 PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) Programme

Our flagship initiative, the Mid-Day Meal Programme, is implemented in partnership with the Government of India and various state governments. Every school day, we provide freshly cooked, nutritious meals to more than 23,000 government and government-aided schools. This initiative not only ensures that children are nourished but also helps reduce dropout rates and improves learning outcomes for children.

Support the school meal programme and help children learn on a full stomach.

 Morning Nutrition Programme

To ensure that children start their school day on the right note, we serve ready-to-eat snacks as part of our Morning Nutrition Programme. Active in six states, this programme provides fortified energy snacks, milk, and other wholesome options. By complementing the mid-day meals, morning nutrition helps children stay attentive and active throughout the day.

Contribute to the Morning Nutrition Programme and give children the energy to begin their day right.

 Anganwadi Feeding

We believe that good nutrition must begin at the earliest stages of life. Through our Anganwadi Feeding Programme, we provide hot, nutritious meals to toddlers, as well as expectant and lactating mothers. This supports healthy physical and cognitive development during the crucial early years and aids in the Government’s efforts to tackle child malnutrition.

Donate to the Anganwadi Feeding Programme and nurture healthier childhoods.

 Feeding Homeless Mothers

Many homeless and destitute mothers face the harsh reality of hunger daily. Through this initiative, we provide aged women living in ashrams, with wholesome meals that restore health and dignity. Supporting this programme not only nourishes women but also gives them a peaceful retired life.

Extend your support to senior mothers and help them live with dignity.

Impact and Sustainability

For more than two decades, Akshaya Patra has served more than 4 billion meals. Our state-of-the-art kitchens, some equipped with biogas plants and solar technology, demonstrate our commitment to scale, quality and sustainability. Each meal we serve is more than just nourishment; it is a promise of hope, dignity and a brighter future.

Voices that give you a clear picture

Manoj Nayak (Father of Parvati Nayak, 4th grade, 124 No. Hatigarh Metelimedhi LPS, Jorhat)

27-year-old Manoj Nayak is the father of two children. The older one, Parvati Nayak, is a 4th grade student of 124 No. Hatigarh Metelimedhi LPS, Jorhat, Assam. She attends school with her 6-year-old brother, studying in 1st grade.

“My children are happy with the lunch served in school. They don’t feel like eating anything when they come home, even if their favourite dish is made. The meals cover the breakfast they skip at home. Every day, they come home and tell us how tasty the food is. They are delighted with it.”

C H Kavitha, Warangal

I come to the Anganwadi centre every day. Eating here helps keep me and my baby healthy, walking to the centre keeps me active and I learn a lot by talking to the women and teachers here. I’ve been coming here for 3 months since the pregnancy was confirmed. At home, I’m not able to eat as much as my body needs. Eating here feels safe for women like us. And I can also eat more while talking to women like me. When I deliver, I’ll surely send them here to eat.

Shobha Daasi

On behalf of every mother living here, I heartily thank Akshaya Patra and all the donors for taking care of our food. I love the food we are served. The menu changes every day and amongst all the dishes my favourites are paneer curry and kheer. I wholeheartedly bless everyone involved with the NGO and wish them further growth.

At Akshaya Patra, every initiative we undertake stems from a singular belief: no one should go hungry. From children in schools to aged mothers in the ashrams, from toddlers in Anganwadis to families struck by disasters, our feeding programmes are designed to serve with compassion and scale. With your support, we can ensure that hunger never stands in the way of potential, dignity or hope.

Join us in our mission. Your contribution today can transform lives tomorrow.

In a world grappling with climate change, sustainability is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. At The Akshaya Patra Foundation, sustainability is not just an add-on. It’s built into the very heart of our mission to provide nutritious mid-day meals (MDM) to over 2.25 million children across India every school day.

As the world celebrates Global Energy Independence Day, we reflect on how Akshaya Patra kitchens are gradually taking up becoming several environmentally responsible innovations. These kitchens nourish more than just children—they quietly support a shift toward sustainability, clean energy and a healthier future.

Kitchens built for long-term impact

In our journey to serve nutritious mid-day meals to schoolchildren, scale could have been a challenge. Instead, we’ve turned it into an opportunity. Most of our kitchens set an example of how green technology can coexist with high-volume efficiency.

With thoughtful choices like solar power, cleaner transport and efficient waste practices, Akshaya Patra kitchens quietly set a new standard for mid-day meal programmes.

Solar kitchens: Clean power, clean plates

Our kitchens are tapping into the sun to cook millions of mid-day meals every day. With 2,793 kW of solar capacity installed across 34 kitchens, we’re reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

One standout is the Akshaya Patra kitchen in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, which operates entirely on solar energy—producing even more electricity than it consumes. This not only supports grid independence but also sets a powerful precedent for clean cooking in institutional kitchens.

Turning waste in to fuel and water in to wisdom

The sustainability story doesn’t stop with electricity. Thirteen of our kitchens are equipped with biogas plants that convert food waste into cooking fuel—turning 10,000+ kg of daily organic waste into clean energy. That means fewer emissions, less LPG use and smarter waste management.

Water is another key focus. Rainwater harvesting, recycled cleaning systems and efficient pre-rinse sprays help us conserve one of our planet’s most precious resources. Digitising our water tracking systems is the next leap forward in our green evolution.

Green transport: Reaching schools with a lighter footprint

Delivery is crucial in any MDM programme—but it doesn’t have to be carbon-heavy. Our growing fleet of 100+ electric vehicles (EVs) travels 1,800 km per month each, cutting over 418 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Local sourcing further reduces transport needs while supporting farmers. In rural kitchens, up to 70% of ingredients are sourced locally. In urban areas, this ranges between 25–40%, reflecting our commitment to regional resilience and sustainability.

A culture rooted in sustainability

Sustainability isn’t just policy—it’s a mindset. Our team members undergo regular training on energy and waste management, and many green ideas come directly from them—like solar dryers, reusable steam systems, and low-flow water taps.

We extend this awareness beyond our kitchens to the communities we serve. Through school campaigns and environmental education, we’re nurturing the next generation of climate-conscious citizens.

Scalable solutions for a better future

What sets us apart is scalability. Whether it’s a solar panel or a biogas digester, our systems are designed to be replicated—not just by us, but by any MDM provider looking to go green. We’re proving that operational scale and ecological integrity can go hand in hand.

Looking ahead: Feeding the future, sustaining the planet

On this Global Energy Independence Day, Akshaya Patra reaffirms its commitment to clean energy and sustainable mid-day meals. As technology evolves, so will our kitchens—but our mission remains constant: to feed children while preserving the world they will inherit.

Because at The Akshaya Patra Foundation, we believe that true nourishment goes beyond the plate—it powers lives, empowers communities and regenerates the Earth.

Join us on our journey. Support a meal. Support sustainability