About Us
Organization Overview
Our Belief
Nutritious Food, a Fundamental Right
Food is not just a basic necessity but a fundamental human right. Nutritious food is essential for people of all ages, especially children and growing adults, to maintain good health and an active life. It plays a significant role in their physical, cognitive and emotional development. We consider it our responsibility to help communities have easy access to food and enable them to live with dignity and hope.
Due to various reasons like economic inequality, climatic changes, urban poverty and civil unrest, there is a rise in food insecurity across the globe. This has resulted in millions of people going to bed hungry. Free food distribution programs will greatly impact their lives and bring about a significant transformation in society.
Our History
From Akshaya Patra to a Global Movement
Our school lunch feeding program was initiated in the year 2000 under the name The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Beginning in a humble way by feeding just over a thousand children studying in government schools in the vicinity of ISKCON Bangalore temple in India, Akshaya Patra has grown over the years to become the world’s largest not-for-profit-run school lunch program. The organisation is currently feeding more than 2.2 million children everyday across India.
Recognized by Leaders
Words That Inspire Us
Self4Society, a social welfare app was introduced in 2018 by the Government of India for professionals and organisations to come together to contribute to various causes. During the launch, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, appreciated Akshaya Patra for its service to society and said, “Akshaya Patra is a social start-up, which has turned into a movement that provides food to school children”. He personally served the 3 billionth meal in Vrindavan in 2019.
He also congratulated the Akshaya Patra team during the commemoration of the milestone of serving 4 billion meals in 2024 and said, “It is with immense pride and joy that I congratulate the entire team of The Akshaya Patra Foundation on the remarkable milestone of serving four billion meals. This achievement stands as a testament to an unwavering commitment to eradicate hunger and provide nourishment to humanity.”
Growing Further
The Birth of World Food Movement
Encouraged by the overwhelming success of the Akshaya Patra initiative, the World Food Movement came into existence. We are serving in cities like Bay Area (California), New Jersey, New York and Washington D.C. and will gradually extend the program to other parts of the country.
Our food assistance programs will serve students in community colleges and food insecure individuals.
Who We Serve
Our Feeding Programs
Community College Feeding
Students who have enrolled in community colleges due to their economic conditions are unable to afford meals due to high responsibilities and other unavoidable circumstances. Our feeding program will help them focus on their studies and ambitions without worrying about food. It will help improve their academic performance due to better concentration and cognitive development and reduce the risk of anxiety, depression and other ailments. We wish to ensure that these young citizens and future leaders are well-nourished physically, mentally and emotionally.
Food Insecure Individuals
Socio-economic factors like a rise in the cost of living, unaffordable housing and unemployment have left thousands of people homeless. They are forced to spend their life in a shelter, depending on the kindness of volunteers and charities for food. We believe it is our social responsibility to ensure that our fellow beings are at least able to fill their stomach with fresh, hot meals every day.