January 10, 2025

Akshaya Patra

Today we woke up at the crack of dawn and took a bus to Akshaya Patra, an NGO dedicated to providing healthy and hygienic food to schoolchildren throughout India. This NGO treats the grand challenge of food for all- as well as education, as providing healthy meals at school encourages attendance. Akshaya Patra sources produce like rice and vegetables from local markets and donors, beginning their filtration process on the roof of the building. Using magnetic technology, the rice is run through sifters to sort out iron or metal particles, and travels down one floor using gravity as a natural resource. Then, employees hand sort the materials looking for hazards and defects. The materials are then chlorinated in large cauldrons and poured through a hole in the floor that leads to a the boiling room. In the boiling room, rice is boiled for 10 minutes, using agricultural waste as fuel. It is then sent down another chute where it is packaged and covered. To ensure safe and hygienic practices, Akshaya Patra uses international regulations, and self auditing, meaning special employees routinely perform checks to make sure all employees and infrastructure is up to par with international standards. Currently, Akshaya Patra provides healthy and nutritious meals for 3 million schoolchildren in India, which accounts for 2% of the population. However, the organization feels their job is not yet finished, and plans to increase their recipients to 5 million in the next few years. Donors, including some former U.S presidents and fellow organizations, can help expedite this process and make it possible.

By
Olive