In our endeavour to provide healthy food to over 1.4 million children across India every day, we have to make sure that the food gets delivered on time and in good condition. To meet these requirements we use optimisation techniques like completing the cooking process on time, beginning deliveries sometimes as early as 5am, and using big data analytics to make the delivery process as smooth as possible. To be cost efficient but at the same time have the highest standards in quality is a challenging task, but one that Akshaya Patra has mastered.

Part of this delivery optimisation technique is making sure that the meal distribution vans are equipped to keep the food healthy and safe till they reach the beneficiary schools. To ensure this all our vans are custom made using a honeycomb structure that prevents any food from spilling. The vans are also insulated to prevent dust from entering and heat from escaping. These precautions keep the food hot and fresh for long periods of time.

Our meal delivery staff are also crucial to the process of making sure the food gets to children safely and on time. All of our drivers understand the importance of the work the Foundation is doing, and their vital role in ensuring its success.

And why do we make this effort every day? Because each morning, when our blue buses leave the kitchen premises, we have the knowledge that all of our effort and drive helps give an underserved child the opportunity to enjoy unlimited food for education.

– By Nitish Sahay

(Intern from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies)

Providing food for education is a worthy cause in itself, but for us there is nothing greater than seeing the impact our programme has had on the lives of our beneficiaries themselves. We spoke to some of the students benefitting from our programme about their dreams and aspirations, and this is what they had to say.

16 year old Amit Kumar aims to be an artist. He has already received many awards for his talent, and is considered the Picasso of his school. He is so bright, and fluent in Kannada, that he was promoted from class II to class IV directly.

Geeta is just 12 years old but she already knows she wants to become a doctor. She has chosen this profession because she wants to help low income families who can’t enjoy the benefit of proper health care.

Haider Ali is 14 years old and studies in class VIII. Haider aspires to be an electronic engineer in honour of his father who passed away last year. “That’s what my father did, he was my idol, I want to become like him,” he says.

12 year old Shivu wants to become a scientist one day. He is already thrilled with the idea of experimenting and creating new inventions. He loves science, but also social studies because he loves to learn about the history of different things.

These are just a few of the beneficiaries who inspired us with their big dreams, and bigger hearts. We know that with all of us supporting them, their passion will only lead them to success in the future. Help us support more dreams like theirs. Make a donation here.