The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) and the Trans Disciplinary University of Health Sciences and Technology (TDU) have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at addressing India’s “hidden hunger” and enhancing nutrition for millions of children. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed on October 5, 2024, and was unveiled during the Smart Protein Forum 2024, underscoring the profound impact this partnership will have on public feeding programs across India.
This MoU represents a pivotal step towards enhancing the health and well-being of schoolchildren, with a focus on innovative product development, research, and policy advocacy. The partnership combines Akshaya Patra’s extensive reach in delivering mid-day meals to millions of children across India with TDU’s expertise in nutrition and health sciences.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Atul K. Gupta, Registrar & CFO of TDU, and Mr. Saanil Bhaskaran, Chief Operating Officer of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, signifying the beginning of a profound collaboration in tackling nutrition challenges in India’s public health and education systems.
The partnership will focus on creating cost-effective, protein-rich meals using plant-based proteins like soy and rice, with an emphasis on long shelf life and reduced operational costs. Additionally, it will analyze and enhance the nutritional value of meals to improve nutrient absorption while prioritizing sustainable ingredients such as millets. The collaboration will support policy improvements aimed at integrating nutrient-dense, cost-effective ingredients into public feeding programs like the PM POSHAN Scheme. Furthermore, workshops and training sessions will be conducted, along with the creation of school gardens, to raise awareness and share best practices on sustainable nutrition.
By incorporating nutrient-dense ingredients like plant proteins and millets, the collaboration will not only improve the nutritional value of meals but also contribute to the overall sustainability of public feeding initiatives. Additionally, efforts to create food gardens at schools and kitchens will foster greater awareness of nutrition and sustainability among children and communities.
As both organizations continue their journey toward promoting nutrition and education, as well as improving public health, this MoU serves as a beacon of innovation and commitment to addressing India’s hidden hunger.
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