As the Akshaya Patra Foundation marks its 25th anniversary, it looks back on an inspiring journey that began in 2000 by serving just 1,500 meals in Bengaluru — a modest effort that has since grown into a massive initiative providing meals to millions of children across India every school day.
The foundation states that it currently runs 78 kitchens spread across 16 states and three Union Territories.
Through this extensive network, and under the Government of India’s PM POSHAN scheme, Akshaya Patra delivers nutritious mid-day meals — along with an additional morning nutrition program — to schoolchildren.
In a recent conversation, CEO Shridhar Venkat spoke about how the organisation blends deep mission-driven commitment with structured and disciplined systems.
He explained that the foundation’s expansion has been built on the principle of “selflessness with systems” — a guiding philosophy that fuels innovation while reinforcing accountability.
Venkat highlighted that frugal innovation has consistently shaped their approach. As an example, he mentioned the development of roti-making machines capable of producing tens of thousands of rotis per hour, designed to accommodate diverse regional food preferences across the country.
He also emphasised that transparency and strong governance have always been fundamental to Akshaya Patra’s ethos. Venkat recalled that during a challenging period in 2020, the foundation voluntarily commissioned a forensic audit by a Big Four firm — which concluded with no major financial irregularities.
Today, the foundation stands as more than just a provider of meals; it has evolved into a robust public–private partnership. While a significant portion of its support comes from the Indian government through the PM POSHAN scheme, it also relies heavily on contributions from corporate partners and individual donors.
Looking ahead, Akshaya Patra aims to expand its reach even more. By 2025, it hopes to provide meals to 3 million children every day — a target that aligns perfectly with its wider mission of ending classroom hunger throughout India.
As it celebrates its 25-year milestone, the foundation’s leaders express heartfelt gratitude to every volunteer, donor, government body, and community that has contributed to its progress — and reaffirm their ultimate goal: ensuring that no child in India is ever denied education because of hunger.
