Akshaya Patra Initiative

A nutritious school meal does far more than address hunger. Behind every meal served lies a large ecosystem of sourcing, cooking, transportation and resource management. As conversations around climate change and environmental responsibility continue to grow, the need for sustainable food systems has become increasingly important.

For large-scale feeding programmes, sustainability is no longer an additional effort. It is an operational responsibility.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation demonstrates how nutrition initiatives can support both children and the environment through efficient and responsible feeding models. By integrating operational efficiency with environmentally conscious practices, the foundation continues to show how school meal programmes can create long-term social impact.

What Does Sustainable Feeding Mean?

Sustainable feeding refers to food systems that nourish communities while minimising environmental impact and supporting long-term scalability.

This approach focuses on creating systems that are:

• Resource efficient
• Environmentally conscious
• Operationally responsible
• Socially impactful
• Built for long-term sustainability

In school feeding programmes, this means preparing and distributing meals in ways that reduce waste, optimise resources and strengthen communities over time.

Sustainable Kitchens That Improve Efficiency

One of the defining features of The Akshaya Patra Foundation is its centralised kitchen model. These large-scale sustainable kitchens are designed to prepare high volumes of meals with consistency, hygiene and operational precision while supporting responsible resource management.

The centralised approach helps support:

• Standardised meal preparation
• Better inventory management
• Reduced operational duplication
• Improved food safety systems
• Efficient utilisation of resources

These sustainable kitchens also make it easier to monitor and improve environmental practices across operations.

Smart Technology for Responsible Feeding

Technology plays an important role in making large-scale meal programmes more sustainable. The foundation uses automated and semi-automated cooking systems that improve consistency while reducing operational inefficiencies.

Some sustainability-focused measures include:

• Steam-based cooking systems that optimise fuel usage
• Solar energy integration in select kitchen facilities
• Automated cooking processes that improve portion control
• Efficient water usage and cleaning systems
• Structured inventory and meal planning to minimise wastage

Even small operational improvements can create meaningful impact when multiplied across millions of meals served every day.

Many organisations are recognised as green NGOs and The Akshaya Patra Foundation continues to demonstrate how environmentally conscious systems can support large-scale social initiatives. NGOs today are increasingly adopting sustainable operational models to balance development goals with environmental responsibility.

Reducing Food Waste Through Better Planning

Food waste remains a major global challenge. Wasted food also means wasted water, energy and resources used during production and transportation.

To address this, The Akshaya Patra Foundation follows structured demand-based meal preparation systems. Meals are prepared according to actual school requirements, helping reduce unnecessary excess.

This includes:

• Forecast-based preparation
• Planned inventory systems
• Standardised meal portions
• Coordinated distribution processes

Efficient planning helps improve both operational effectiveness and responsible resource usage.

Sustainability Beyond the Kitchen

Sustainability is not only about environmental responsibility. It is also about long-term community development.

School feeding programmes contribute toward improved classroom concentration, school attendance and educational participation. Access to regular nutritious meals encourages children to stay in school and continue learning, especially in underserved communities.

The impact extends beyond individual students and contributes toward stronger families and communities over time.

Feeding the Future Responsibly

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important global priority, every large-scale NGO is being encouraged to rethink how impact is created. The Akshaya Patra Foundation continues to demonstrate that large-scale feeding programmes can support both child nutrition and responsible operational practices simultaneously.

Every meal served represents more than nourishment. It reflects a commitment toward:

• Responsible resource management
• Sustainable community support
• Efficient operations
• Long-term developmental impact

Supporting Sustainable Feeding

Individuals today are increasingly choosing to support environmentally responsible initiatives through digital giving platforms. People can now donate online to support school feeding programmes that combine child nutrition with sustainability-focused operations.

A dream started with a simple vision – to bring smiles and spread joy among children. Did you know that nourishing meals can work this magic? Today, that dream has evolved into a nationwide movement, ensuring nourishment and education. Akshaya Patra has proudly reached the milestone of serving 5 billion meals!

From 1,500 Children to 2.35 Million: Our Journey of Growth

In 2000, our journey began by serving mid-day meals to 1,500 children in five schools in Bengaluru. Today, Akshaya Patra has become one of the most trusted NGOs in India, serving over 2.35 million children in 16 states and 3 UTs. Through a network of kitchens equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, we meticulously prepare hot, nutritious meals and deliver them to children in more than 23,000 schools across the country.

The use of large, specialised equipment, such as cauldrons, rice chutes and the introduction of roti-making machines in 2002 marked a significant technological innovation in the Mid-Day Meal Programme, improving efficiency while ensuring consistency and quality.

These tireless efforts that continue for more than two decades reached serving 5 billion meals and is commemorated on 17 March 2026 by Droupadi Murmu, The Honourable President of India, along with Dharmendra Pradhan, The Honourable Minister of Education at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Why Mid-Day Meals Matter?

Various studies have proved that MDM plays a crucial role in improving child nutrition, enrolment, attendance and academic performance. In many Indian households, having three square meals a day is still a challenge. Mid-day meals are one of the main reasons why many children come to school every day. For them, these meals are the primary or maybe the only source of daily nutrition.

We have been fortunate to witness many of them building their future, because meals have played a vital role in pursuing their studies. When daily nourishment is ensured at schools, parents send their children to school, which in turn helps them continue their education. So, just one meal can be the reason a child breaks the cycle of poverty that circles in a family, generation after generation.

Child’s Taste Preferences are Crucial for MDM Success

In India, culinary diversity is vast, and so are the taste preferences of the children we serve. What a child eats in the North is different from those in the South and East. Keeping this diversity in mind, menus are designed, thoughtfully prepared, adhering to the local palate and meeting the Government’s nutritional guidelines. While children in the South are served rice-based dishes like sambar and rasam, those in the North receive rotis, dal, and other local staple foods.

Significant Milestones in our Journey

2000 – Begins with feeding 1,500 children in 5 schools in Bengaluru
2003 – Becomes the first NGO to be part of a Public-Private Partnership in the School Feeding Programme
2009 – Celebrates our first milestone of serving 500 million cumulative meals
2012 – 1 Billion cumulative meals
2016 – 2 billion cumulative meals, commemorated by then President, Pranab Mukherjee
2018 – Received National Award for Child Welfare from Ram Nath Kovind, the Former President of India
2019 – 3 billion cumulative meals in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi
2024 – 4 billion cumulative meals commemorated at UN Headquarters, New York
2026 – 5 Billion cumulative meals at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

Support our Cause. Make an Online Donation

If you wish to join this hunger-warrior tribe, make an online donation today. Your contribution helps us serve nutritious mid-day meals to children. Together, let’s walk towards the vision – No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.

In more than 23,000 schools across India, classrooms stay lively because every child sits nourished and eager to learn. 2025 was a year of growing together to feed more and make a greater impact. We witnessed many more hunger warriors joining our cause and it is because of their generosity that every child received meals every day without fail.

This growing support and the smile of 2.35 million children are the ultimate testament to the trust placed in us.

Akshaya Patra’s Recap 2025

Committed to a purpose of making lives better with nutritious meals, 2025 brought us significant milestones:

• Celebrated 25 years of service

On 11 November 2025, Akshaya Patra marked its 25th anniversary of feeding children. On this day, we commemorated our journey that started in 2000 with 1,500 children in five schools in Bengaluru, which has now grown to serve mid-day meals to 2.35 million children across 16 states and 3 UTs. In 2025 alone, we served 480 million mid-day meals and 120 million morning nutrition servings.

• Inaugurated the first centralised kitchen in Goa

In March this year, Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Honourable Chief Minister of Goa, inaugurated our 78th kitchen and the first one in Goa. It has the capacity to prepare up to 5,000 meals. Like in other states, we serve meals adhering to the local palate, such as chapatis, batata bhaji, vatana bhaji, vegetable korma, idli, sambar, soya chunks, mixed-veg pulav, etc.

• First centralised kitchen in Bihar

Akshaya Patra is gearing up to begin its journey in Bihar. In June, the Bhoomi Pujan of the Foundation’s first centralised kitchen in Bihar was held. Sunil Kumar, the Honourable Minister of Education, laid the foundation stone of the facility, which is expected to improve attendance and nutritional status of thousands of children across Patna district through MDM.

• Bhavnagar kitchen is fully powered by solar.

With 93.9 kW solar capacity installed, the Bhavnagar kitchen in Gujarat is now operates entirely on solar power. This not only eliminates the electric bill of the kitchen but also reduces the carbon footprint, a significant milestone in our efforts to protect the greener future that the community we serve deserves.

• Delhi kitchen delivery fleet is fully electric

The meal delivery fleet across Delhi has become fully electric, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is another testament to our sustainable operations under the MDM initiative.

• Featured in prestigious Forbes Magazine

Akshaya Patra has featured in Forbes, the magazine that sets a benchmark for organisational excellence. The article describes Akshaya Patra’s journey, the hurdles we face and the vision they looking forward to achieving.

Awards Received:

• NGO Leadership Award – National Awards for Excellence
• Best CSR Impact Maker of the Year in CSR Health System Strengthening Project – 9th CSR Health Impact Awards
• Food Safety Culture Award 2025 – India Food Safety Conclave (IFSC) at the Bangalore International Centre
• Best Civil Society Organisation Award – 11th Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability

Fundraising Charity Events

• Golf for Good Charity Tournament
The funds pooled through the charity tournament supported 1,400 children’s mid-day meals for an entire academic year.

• Music for Meals – Agam
Carnatic progressive music band, Agam, joined a charity concert that helped us strengthen our MDM efforts.

Feeding Humanity

A glimpse of our servings during times of devotion and crisis:

• Maha Kumbh Feeding
Served over 10,36,230 meals to the devotees at the Maha Kumbh

• Disaster Relief Feeding
– Served meals to flood–affected people in Solapur (Maharashtra), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh) and Badarpur (Assam).
– Provided food support to residents in Dehradun & Chamoli during landslide
– Distributed grocery kits to displaced families in Jammu & Kashmir during cross-border escalations

Story of Hope

Behind every mid-day meal is a dream waiting to sprout

Looking ahead

A mother never says no when her child is hungry. Like a mother who never lets her child go hungry, we strive to ensure that ‘No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.’

Though we can’t match a mother’s meals, your support can help us come close. Help us feed children like mothers do. Donate Now.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one of India’s largest non-profit organisations dedicated to addressing classroom hunger and supporting education. By providing mid-day meals to millions of government school children, the Foundation ensures that nutrition becomes a pathway to learning, attendance and improved academic performance. Today, Akshaya Patra serves over 2.35 million children across 23,000+ government schools in 78 locations spanning multiple states and union territories.

The organisation works in partnership with the Government of India under the PM POSHAN (MDM) programme, preparing and delivering freshly cooked, nutritious food every school day. Over the years, this initiative has not only helped reduce classroom hunger but has also improved enrolment, retention and overall child well-being. While nutrition remains the core mission, Akshaya Patra recognises that responsible service must also consider environmental sustainability.

Why Sustainability Matters

Large-scale meal distribution involves extensive transportation and fuel consumption. As organisations grow their outreach, it becomes important to ensure that operational efficiency aligns with environmental responsibility. Sustainable logistics helps reduce emissions while ensuring that essential nutrition programmes continue seamlessly.

By adopting eco-friendly transportation methods, Akshaya Patra strengthens the long-term impact of mid-day meals, ensuring that the effort to nourish children also contributes toward building cleaner and healthier communities.

Akshaya Patra’s EV Initiative

In its commitment to sustainability, Akshaya Patra has introduced electric vehicles (EVs) into its meal delivery fleet. Traditionally, transporting meals across cities and rural areas relied heavily on conventional fuel-based vehicles. The introduction of EVs marks a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency and reliability in the meal distribution system.

Today, Akshaya Patra operates over 100 EVs in its delivery fleet, strengthening its environmentally responsible logistics framework. The Foundation has also implemented route optimisation strategies, resulting in 8–12% improved fuel efficiency across transportation operations. These efforts ensure timely and efficient delivery under the school meal programme while contributing toward sustainable mobility solutions.

Impact of EV Integration

The adoption of EVs has generated measurable environmental benefits. Akshaya Patra’s transition toward electric mobility has helped save approximately 418 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with delivering mid-day meals across multiple regions.

Beyond environmental advantages, EV integration also demonstrates how large-scale nutrition programmes can successfully balance operational efficiency with sustainability goals. By strengthening green logistics, Akshaya Patra continues to enhance service reliability while contributing to climate-conscious development.

How You Can Support

Community participation plays a vital role in expanding both nutrition and sustainability initiatives. Individual donations help strengthen meal programmes and enable the Foundation to expand eco-friendly delivery systems such as EV integration. Every contribution supports the continuation of essential nutrition services while helping build greener transportation solutions.

Supporters can also encourage awareness about responsible and sustainable feeding initiatives. Continued donations ensure that nutritious meals reach children consistently while helping the organisation scale environmentally responsible logistics.

CSR Partnerships with EV Focus

Corporate partnerships play a crucial role in strengthening sustainability initiatives. Akshaya Patra actively collaborates with organisations interested in combining social impact with environmental responsibility. CSR collaborations can support fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, and expansion of green delivery models.

Companies partnering with Akshaya Patra contribute to a meaningful dual impact, strengthening child nutrition programmes while supporting climate-conscious operations. Through strategic donations and CSR engagement, corporates can help accelerate the transition towards sustainable meal delivery systems.

Driving Nutrition with Sustainability

Akshaya Patra’s EV initiative reflects a forward-looking vision where classroom hunger relief and environmental stewardship move together. By delivering nutritious food through sustainable logistics, the Foundation continues to redefine how social impact programmes can contribute to a greener future. Through collective effort and continued support, every meal served becomes a step toward nourishing children and protecting the planet.

Education has the power to shape a child’s future and strengthen communities. At Akshaya Patra, we believe that when children are supported consistently, they are better equipped to learn, grow and contribute meaningfully to society. While the PM POSHAN initiative (Mid-Day Meal Programme) addresses classroom hunger, our scholarship initiatives focus on enabling deserving students to continue their education without financial constraints. Through Akshaya Patra scholarships, we work to remove barriers that often prevent bright young minds from realising their full potential.

The Importance of Education and the Role of Scholarships

Education extends beyond academic instruction – it builds confidence, nurtures aspirations and equips students with essential life skills. However, for many children from underserved communities, continuing education, particularly beyond school, can become difficult due to economic pressures. Scholarships play a vital role in bridging this gap by offering financial support, stability and encouragement.

As an NGO in India working closely with government schools, we have witnessed how timely educational assistance can prevent dropouts and motivate students to aim higher. Scholarships also recognise merit and perseverance, reinforcing the belief that dedication and hard work are valued and rewarded.

About the Akshaya Patra Scholarship Programme

The Akshaya Patra Scholarship Programme supports students who demonstrate academic commitment but require financial assistance to pursue further education. Building on our long-standing engagement with children through school meals, this initiative extends our support beyond nutrition to education.

Through Akshaya Patra scholarships, students are enabled to pursue higher education that enhances employability and long-term self-reliance. The programme reflects Akshaya Patra’s holistic approach to child development, nourishing both the body and the mind.

Objectives of the Scholarship Programme

The scholarship programme is guided by clearly defined objectives that focus on long-term educational and social impact. These objectives include:

• Supporting young minds in achieving academic and career excellence by reducing financial barriers
• Inspiring a sustained passion for learning by highlighting positive outcomes and role models
• Strengthening access to education and skill development across all levels
• Reducing dropout rates in higher education through consistent academic support
• Contributing to the national vision of “Shikshit Bharat, Viksit Bharat”

These objectives form the foundation of the programme and guide the selection and support of scholars.

Eligibility Criteria and Benefits

The scholarship programme follows a transparent and structured process to ensure that support reaches students who need it most. While specific criteria may vary depending on the scholarship category, general eligibility includes:

• Students who have completed Class 10, PUC, or Graduation from government schools or colleges
• Consistent academic performance with a CGPA of 8 or above, along with regular attendance
• Minimum qualifying marks:
  PUC: 50% in Class 10
  Graduation: 55% in PUC
  Post-Graduation: 60% in Graduation, 55% in Class 12, and 50% in Class 10
• Students residing in Akshaya Patra-operated locations
• Selection based on a merit-cum-need approach

How to Apply for Akshaya Patra Scholarships

The application process is designed to be simple, accessible and student-centric. Eligible students may apply through referrals from government schools and government educational institutions. Each application undergoes careful review to assess academic merit and financial need.

Selected students are guided through the subsequent steps with clarity and ongoing support, ensuring continued engagement throughout their academic journey. The process prioritises transparency and the best interests of the student.

Our Contribution to Education Beyond Meals

As an NGO in India with a Pan-India presence, Akshaya Patra recognises that sustainable impact requires addressing multiple dimensions of a child’s life. Beyond providing meals, our educational initiatives help students remain in school, pursue higher education and work towards long-term independence. Those who wish to support this effort can also donate to help extend educational opportunities to more deserving students, ensuring that aspirations are not limited by circumstance.

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

Akshaya Patra is an NGO in Telangana which serves as the implementing partner of the government’s ambitious nutrition welfare programme, the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, to support children’s nutrition and education.

AN OVERVIEW OF AKSHAYA PATRA

The Akshaya Patra Foundation began its journey in Bengaluru in the year 2000 by feeding school meals to 1,500 students. In implementing the Government of India’s PM POSHAN Abhiyaan or Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Programme, our main aim is to eliminate classroom hunger and enhance the nutritional status of children.

AKSHAYA PATRA – AN NGO IN TELANGANA

Akshaya Patra is striving to empower children in Telangana through its four state-of-the-art centralised kitchens.

Akshaya Patra opened its first kitchen in the state in Warangal in 2017. Currently, in the state of Telangana, the foundation feeds mid-day meal beneficiaries and Anganwadi beneficiaries (including nursing mothers, pregnant women and their children) as well.

As of today, we are operating four kitchens across the state: Warangal, Narsingi, Nawabpet and Kandi. Cumulatively, we are feeding 1,65,573 children in 2,503 schools in the state, serving them freshly cooked wholesome meals thereby maintaining their nutritional levels and supporting their education.

When children receive hot, tasty and nutritious meals in schools, it encourages them to come to school every day, thus improving attendance and retention rates. Proper nutrition gives them the ability to concentrate better in their classes and perform well in academics.

Regardless of the region, serving meals based on the local palate and cyclical menu has always been a priority for the NGO. In Telangana, we serve rice, tomato pappu, veg pulav, channa masala, leafy pappu, tomato rice, moong dal payasam, etc.

An overview of Akshaya Patra’s work in Telangana

Beneficiary Stories

While Akshaya Patra is a renowned name in the school feeding space, its credibility as one of the best NGOs in Telangana has been strengthened by its relief feeding efforts in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation served cooked meals and essential grocery kits to ensure people’s access to nutrition during the pandemic.

Support Us to Nurture Children!

With the support of the government, corporate and individual donors, philanthropists and well-wishers, we are nurturing the hopes of millions of children. No child shall be deprived of education because of hunger. Keeping this in mind, we are constantly trying to expand our reach. With your support to help us implement the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, we can ensure that children relish their meals and walk towards achieving their dreams.

The mere thought of a child sitting in the class on an empty stomach, unable to concentrate on studies, is heart-wrenching. It is the reason Akshaya Patra strives to go the extra mile and reach children in the nook and corner of the country. Since its inception in 2000, the organisation has diligently pursued its vision of ‘No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.’ Headquartered in Bengaluru, the organisation presently has kitchens in 16 states and 2 UTs. Let us take you on a tour of Akshaya Patra kitchens in Gujarat.

Akshaya Patra in Gujarat

A major factor that accelerated the entry of Akshaya Patra NGO in Gujarat was the visit of the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to the Bengaluru facility in 2007. With the support of the government, corporates and individual donors, we started serving first in Surat in 2009. Currently, we have eight centralised kitchens in the state, through which we are serving 4,06,437 children in 3,416 schools. The mid-day meals have succeeded in bringing more children to schools.

The menu

The menu differs each day to give children a variety of tastes, adhering to the local palate and thus satisfying their food preferences. This also meets the nutritional standards of children.

Beneficiary children

What makes us one of the most popular NGOs in Gujarat is our commitment to create an equitable world by ensuring nutrition and education for all children, especially from marginalised communities. As an implementing partner of the Government of India’s PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (Mid-Day Meal Programme or MDM), we are striving to nourish the dreams of all children. The improvement in the enrollment, attendance and retention rates proves that all efforts have been fruitful. By donating online, you can also support us in our endeavours to realise the dreams of children like Divya, Vanjara and Deepika.

Join us in this journey of alleviating classroom hunger under the MDM Programme. Donate online and be a changemaker.

2023 at The Akshaya Patra Foundation marked the generosity and commitment of our esteemed donors and well-wishers for a healthier and prosperous future. Our 23-year-old NGO persisted for another year in its relentless efforts towards nourishing vulnerable populations.

Not only did we serve mid-day meals (MDM) to government school children under our core programme for PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, but also substantially supported crisis victims with our relief feeding initiatives.

Last year, due to steadfast collaborations with our donors, well-wishers and governments, we accomplished
• Serving food from new kitchens
• Felicitation students and teachers from our beneficiary schools for their exceptional accomplishments
• ISO certifications for our existing units
• Recognition for the lives we impacted

Here is a rundown of events highlighting our progress in humanitarian service.

New kitchens

3 kitchens were added to our NGO’s network last year. They serve children under PM POSHAN Abhiyaan as well as provide food assistance during emergencies.

Food relief efforts

We helped deliver food relief during
• land subsidence in Joshimath, Uttarakhand in January, and
• floods in Assam in July

Nourish the Change Awards

Nourish the Change Awards is an Akshaya Patra initiative to recognise students and teachers from beneficiary schools for their extraordinary achievements beyond the classroom walls.

• In an interactive session between students and our leaders on 23 August 2023 in Bengaluru, students and teachers from our beneficiary schools were recognised for their admirable commitment and diligence. Indian artist and film director, Mr Prakash Belawadi and His Highness Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the 27th Head and Custodian of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore graced the event with their presence.

• We marked the 11th anniversary of our Surat Kitchen with Nourish the Change Awards. The event took place on 13 October 2023 in the esteemed presence of Meenaben M Gajjar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner – PM POSHAN Yojna, Surat Municipal Corporation, and many corporate visionaries and ardent advocates of our noble cause.

• On 23 November 2023, Nourish the Change Awards – Mumbai honoured partnerships and felicitated teachers and students who achieved extraordinary milestones despite multiple challenges. Kaustubh Dhavse, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Board Member, Mumbai Film Festival and Krishnakant Upadhyay (IPS), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai graced the occasion with their presence. Indian Celebrity Chef & Indian Cultural Ambassador, Shipra Khanna and several dignitaries from the film, television and radio fraternity were also present to commemorate the achievers.

• Our Visakhapatnam Kitchen marked its 15th anniversary on 20 December 2023 with the Nourish the Change Awards. 15 years ago, it started by serving MDM to 5,445 children in 7 government schools. To date, it has served more than 31,80,000 mid-day meals and over 25,70,000 meals in Anganwadi centres.

Other highlights

• At the Corporate event of the 12th edition of World CSR Day in February 2023, www.worldcsrday.com presented the Certificate of Merit to Akshaya Patra.

• In March 2023, Akshaya Patra and Share Our Strength, a US-based national NGO facilitating school meals worldwide, jointly organised ‘Feed the Future Now’ at Chitnavis Centre. People of Nagpur came in numbers to the fundraising event to pledge donations to feed children.

• In March 2023, our 44th centralised kitchen in Gambheeram, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was certified with ISO 22000:2018, testifying the hygienic and high-quality food it has been serving since its inception.

• We launched ‘Clean Slate Carnival’ on 15 May 2023, a drive to welcome children back to school. The pilot was carried out in collaboration with Citibank, Cargill, LSEG and Swiss Re to revamp 18 schools across Bengaluru which included cleaning the school premises and painting blackboards for a cleaner and safer environment.

• In July 2023, we were bestowed with the Silver Award towards the COVID Food Relief Project by the 7th CSR Health Impact Awards 2023. The award was presented by Smt Kiran Bedi, Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.

• Our kitchen in Singupuram, Andhra Pradesh, bagged ISO 22000:2018 certification in July 2023 for maintaining hygiene in the kitchen and serving quality food. We provide mid-day meals in schools under the State Government’s Gorumudda and other programmes.

• Honourable Former Vice-President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, launched mid-day meal distribution in October 2023, supported by Akshaya Patra, for ITI students of Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Samithi.

• We were honoured with the Nexus of Good Award 2023 in November in the ‘Initiatives for Quality Education’ category. Mr Prabhat Kumar Singh, Former Cabinet Secretary and Governor, and Mr Anil Swarup, Former Coal Secretary of India, presented this prestigious recognition.

We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the people of India. It has allowed us to serve our society without barriers for over two decades and contribute to bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots. With nationwide support, we have collectively supported socioeconomically challenged populations with a vital resource for survival – food.

Your donations over ₹500 to Akshaya Patra are eligible for 80G deductions under the Income Tax Act. However, only those who have opted for the old regime can redeem these 80G deductions.

Become a changemaker today! Join us and enable an inclusive future for India with an online donation.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation came into existence 22 years ago to serve children from government and government-aided schools. A public-private partnership (PPP) was formed with the Government of India to implement the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme). Since then, we have been working relentlessly to end classroom hunger and promote children’s education across India by giving them the nutrition they need.

This flagship programme has played a significant role in raising the number of students enrolled in schools. Additionally, it has assisted in lowering the dropout rate, improved the attendance rate. The programme has also improved children’s nutritional status, which has enriched their health and cognitive development.

Today, we offer ‘unlimited food for education’ to over 2 million students every school day across 15 states and 2 union territories in India from our 66 kitchens.

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Additionally, we also run the Anganwadi Feeding Programme and feed toddlers, between the age of 0-6 years, and expectant and lactating mothers from underprivileged communities. This programme ensures stimulation in early childhood which is critical for the development of their healthy brains and bodies.

Also, we serve breakfast to children under our Breakfast Programme. This provides adequate nutrition to the children, helping them attend school regularly with higher concentration and interest. They perform better in both academics and co-curricular while cultivating good behaviour as they grow. Without breakfast, children struggle with low memory recall and have higher chances of making errors.

Furthermore, we also provide wholesome meals to homeless mothers staying at ashrams in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. With the help of this effort, we seek to provide their basic nutritional needs so they can use their ability to work, overcome obstacles in life and lead a dignified life.

During emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, droughts and rainstorms, we provide food relief to people from vulnerable communities.

The table below shows the latest feeding numbers:

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