Beyond Mid-Day Meals: Exploring the Services Offered by The Akshaya Patra Foundation

When a child receives proper nutrition, they are better equipped to learn. But what happens after that? What support do they need to continue their education, discover their talents and eventually become confident adults? These are the questions that shaped The Akshaya Patra Foundation's journey over the past 25 years.

A Meal to a Lifetime of Opportunities

Today, the Foundation serves over 2.35 million children every school day across 25,000+ government schools in 16 states and 3 Union Territories through the PM POSHAN initiative (earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme). However, years of working closely with children, parents and teachers made one thing clear that a nutritious meal is the beginning, not the destination.

Building Healthy Foundations

A child's nutritional needs begin long before they enter a classroom. During the early years, adequate nutrition is essential for physical growth, brain development and immunity. Recognising this, The Akshaya Patra Foundation extends its support to preschool children through the Anganwadi Feeding Programme, providing wholesome meals during one of the most crucial stages of life.

Good nutrition during early childhood contributes to reducing concerns such as anaemia, malnutrition, stunting, wasting and developmental delays. Simply put, healthier children are more likely to become healthier learners and healthier learners grow into healthier adults.

Ensuring Every School Day Counts

As children enter school, the Foundation continues to support them through the PM POSHAN initiative. Freshly cooked meals prepared in technology-enabled kitchens not only provide nourishment but also encourage regular school attendance, improve classroom concentration and help children make the most of every learning opportunity.

Yet, nutrition is only one part of a child's learning experience. The environment in which they eat and learn matters just as much.

Creating Better Spaces to Learn

To enhance the overall school experience, the Foundation introduced MEAL (Meal Experience Enhancement for Active Learning). The initiative goes beyond providing meals by improving dining areas, hygiene facilities and learning spaces within schools.

A clean place to wash hands, a dignified space to eat and an environment that encourages learning together create a more positive school experience. When children feel comfortable and cared for, they are more likely to participate, engage and enjoy coming to school every day.

Supporting Dreams Beyond School

For many students, completing school is only the first milestone. The next challenge is accessing higher education, where financial constraints often become a barrier.

Through its Scholarship Programme, The Akshaya Patra Foundation supports deserving students with financial assistance, enabling them to pursue undergraduate and professional education. By investing in their aspirations, the Foundation helps ensure that talent determines a student's future and not their circumstance.

But even financial support is only part of the journey.

From Beneficiaries to Mentors

As scholarship recipients and beneficiaries establish their careers, many choose to give back through the Akshaya Patra Alumni Network (AAN). The network brings together former beneficiaries who mentor students, share career guidance and inspire the next generation with their own stories of perseverance and success.

This creates a meaningful cycle of impact, where those who once received support become role models for children walking the same path.

Standing by Communities During Emergencies

While most initiatives focus on long-term development, the Foundation also responds when communities face unexpected crises. Through its Humanitarian Relief Feeding Programme, Akshaya Patra leverages its large-scale kitchen infrastructure and logistics network to prepare and distribute freshly cooked meals during natural disasters, public health emergencies and humanitarian crises.

The same operational excellence that serves millions of schoolchildren every day enables the Foundation to respond quickly when uninterrupted access to nutritious food becomes critical.

Beyond Meals, Towards Brighter Futures

What began as an effort to support the government's Mid-Day Meal Scheme has grown into a comprehensive system of care. Today, The Akshaya Patra Foundation supports children from their formative years through schooling, higher education and even into their professional lives. Whether it is nourishing preschoolers, creating better learning environments, enabling higher education, fostering alumni mentorship or responding during emergencies, every initiative is connected by a single purpose, to help children realise their full potential.

If you would like to be part of this journey, you can donate online and help create opportunities that extend far beyond a single meal.

 

The role of mid-day meals in nurturing a healthy world

 

The article discusses the importance of the Mid-Day Meal Programme in addressing hunger and malnutrition among school children, helping them to attain their full potential and making the world a better place to live.

Know more: https://www.akshayapatra.org/ 

The role of mid-day meals in nurturing a healthy world

 'Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow'- Jawaharlal Nehru

As the first Prime Minister of India said, childhood is the budding stage and thus requires utmost care and attention during this age. It is the pivotal period for physical, mental and cognitive development. So, when a child is born, parents do everything for their overall well-being. They give them everything they need for a better future. However, there are families who unable to provide nutritional meal to their children on a regular basis due to their financial constraints. Should the children of such parents be left behind due to their difficult circumstances? A big No! 

Here lies the importance of implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme in schools. 

Mid-Day Meal Programme (MDM) - A source of nutrition

Mid-Day Meal Programme (PM POSHAN Abhiyaan) is a crucial initiative put forward by the Government of India to address classroom hunger and malnutrition among children in government and government-aided schools. If children don’t have adequate nutrient-rich food, it may cause long-term consequences in their life like stunting, wasting, etc. 

Through this programme, the government ensures that all children, regardless of their financial and family backgrounds, are receiving a wholesome meal at least once a day, thus, improving their academic performance. 

How MDM improves academic performance?

Studies have proved that children who receive mid-day meals have a better attention span which helps them to concentrate on their classes and perform well in their academics. Without sufficient nutrition, they will not get the energy to focus on their learning effectively. 

Mid-day meal encourages children to go to school as they are receiving hot, tasty, nutritious, lunch in their school thus increasing enrolment, attendance and retention rate, along with enhancing their nutritional status.

MDM supports girls’ education and health

The study of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) finds that girls are more vulnerable to undernutrition than boys.  The report says, 59.1% of adolescent girls are anaemic because, during the adolescent stage, girls are at the onset of menstruation. This is a crucial time in their life, and so, any nutritional deficiencies might have an adverse impact on the health of the girl, ultimately affecting the future of the country in general. MDM promotes girls’ education and their health as it motivates parents to send their children to school, irrespective of their gender. 

If girls can continue their education, it helps them to pursue their career goals, ultimately they can be the productive citizens in India.

Role of NGOs in MDM

NGOs play a crucial role in serving the beneficiaries of the MDM. Akshaya Patra is an NGO for children, currently feeding 2 million children every day across schools in 15 states and 2 union territories in India. 

With the support of the government, corporates, philanthropists, individuals, and well-wishers, the organisation has made noteworthy contributions in the implementation of the programme and is consistently seeking every possible avenue to reach out to more children in India. The organisation’s mission is to feed 3 million children by 2025.

Freedom from classroom hunger, on this independence day

 Independence Day is just around the corner. India became independent after years of British rule on 15 August, 1947; thanks to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. As a mark of respect for their valiant efforts, Independence Day is celebrated with great passion across the country.

The occasion is celebrated in a variety of ways, including hoisting the flag, distributing sweets, delivering speeches and even making pledges. In fact, the momentous occasion of Independence Day is a good day to reiterate our commitment to social good to free people from poverty, hunger, illiteracy, etc.

Freedom from Hunger

Hunger is more than lack of food. It is a crisis that has nearly a billion people in its grip. Nearly 1/3 of the produce worldwide is wasted. This shows that there is plenty of food available around the world, but there is an unequal distribution. The challenge is to make food consistently accessible to everyone who needs it; not the lack of food.

There are numerous people and organisations that provide a ray of hope. They are doing everything they can to address hunger and malnutrition. These range from modest projects like providing food to a few hundred homeless people in the neighbourhood to large-scale campaigns by the government and NGOs that feed millions.

Addressing Classroom Hunger

Classroom hunger is an issue that The Akshaya Patra Foundation seeks to address in its capacity as the implementing partner of PM POSHAN (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme). They started with the feeding of 1,500 children in Bengaluru two decades ago. Today, they have established 67 kitchens across the country with the help of government and patrons to serve hot and nutritious mid-day meals to government and government-aided school children. Their centralised kitchens are currently present in 15 states and 2 UTs, enabling them to provide for more than 2 million children after beginning one evening out of a desire to feed 1,500 children.

The goal of this initiative is to end classroom hunger in India by serving nutritious mid-day meals to children in schools. Children are encouraged to attend school with the help of a mid-day meal, which meets their nutritional demands.

When children are well-fed, their academic performance improves along with their co-curricular activities, which, in turn, allows them to pursue their dreams. This is a massive step towards improving their lives and the future of India.

With the collective effort of individuals, charities and NGOs and the government, the classroom hunger scenario in India can be altered. This is the underlying belief at Akshaya Patra.

On the eve of Independence Day, there are many things for which people should be grateful. At the same time, everyone should spare a thought for those with limited opportunities. Together, it is possible to work towards a world where children are free from classroom hunger and malnutrition. Together, it is possible to ensure that the next generation is raised in a healthy environment and equipped to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Let’s celebrate India’s freedom – Freedom from hunger.

Promise 2 million government school children freedom from hunger

 Repay India’s kindness for nurturing you by feeding school children from economically weaker sections on this day. Help the nation flourish by feeding, educating and fuelling their dreams of a better future.

know more: https://www.akshayapatra.org/

Changing Lives of Children Through Nutrition and Education

Nutrition intake, access to education, social interactions, etc., during childhood play a crucial in the development of children into healthy, responsible citizens of the future. However, many children who grow up in low-income backgrounds frequently lack access to healthy food, hygienic conditions, safe housing, healthcare and education—all essentials for survival. School feeding programmes can serve as an effective intervention to address some of these issues, thus paving way to change the lives of children and their families through nutrition and education.

A school feeding programme enhances health and stimulates the development of children and improves their attendance and concentration, thus boosting their academic performance.

School feeding programmes are in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 - Zero Hunger which calls for an end to hunger, increased access to safe and nutritious food and elimination of all forms of malnutrition, SDG 4 – Quality Education which calls for eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education.

School feeding and nutrition programmes can significantly impact a child's physical development and health, especially in developing nations where school lunch is often the child's first meal of the day.

In India, the Central Government runs the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme). The primary objective of this programme is to improve the nutritional status of underprivileged children studying in government and government-aided schools. 

This programme also encourages children to attend school regularly and helps them improve their academic performance. Additionally, this programme also decreases the dropout rates. As children’s one meal is assured, parents to worry less about their nutritional intake. 

Since children are a very important part of every nation, it is imperative that their overall development is given due importance, especially if the objective is a sustainable future for the nation in the long run. The PM POSHAN Abhiyaan grooms the current generation of children for a global world by supporting their nutrition and education.

In India, there is a provision for the involvement of NGOs in the implementation of the flagship school feeding programme. The Akshaya Patra Foundation, for instance, is the centre’s implementing partner for the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan. The NGO has been serving mid-day meals to children since 2000.

Over 2 million children are served hot and nutritious school meals every day in 15 states and 2 UTs as of today. The Foundation has positively impacted the lives of millions until now with the support of the government and its patrons, and aims to serve 3 million children by 2025. Akshaya Patra continuously strives to improve the quality of lives of children and contribute to a positive spiral of health, development and school attendance.

In the end, children are the leaders of the future, so it is imperative that we empower them by providing them with nutritious food and quality education through interventions such as the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan.

Nutrition Literacy: Shaping Future of Children & Youth

 The ability required to comprehend the significance of healthy eating for preserving health is referred to as nutrition literacy. The initial goal of nutrition literacy is to improve people's understanding of food so they can better decide which foods and in what amounts are necessary to maintain health.

Consumers today enjoy an unheard-of variety of food products. It is also very easy to find information on food to make sure that what we eat is nourishing.

Understanding the fundamental nutrient groups and their distinct functions in preserving health as well as their dietary sources is provided via nutrition literacy referred to as the "Food Pyramid".

The Food Pyramid addresses every aspect of nutrition intake and facets like vitamin D and multivitamin supplements. By encouraging healthy eating habits and diets, nutrition literacy helps to lower the chance of developing chronic diseases like obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Information about food supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients, that may be necessary in specific situations to meet nutritional demands, is also provided by nutrition literacy. It also includes providing information on eating disorders, that include anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder.

Beyond the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking and listening, nutrition literacy also includes the abilities needed to comprehend and interpret the frequently complex information regarding foods and their nutrients.

For many families, eating healthfully and reaping its numerous benefits is not easy. Children, especially, have little knowledge about where the food comes from or how certain foods affect their general health. Sustainability in health is a complex problem with many facets.

By teaching children about nutrition literacy, our schools may significantly contribute to changing eating habits. A child’s knowledge about nutrition helps them in the consumption of healthy food which in turn plays a significant role in supporting their good health and preventing illnesses. Therefore, teachers are also encouraged to teach children about nutrition in schools.  

In March 2019, IMPAct4Nutrtion, an initiative convened by UNICEF, Tata Trusts, Sight and Life, CSRBOX, CII, WeCan and NASSCOM Foundation was launched in New Delhi. IMPAct4Nutrition is a platform for the private sector to actively engage and build a social movement with their employees, customers and employees’ families who form a part of their business ecosystem and support the POSHAN Abhiyaan. The platform helps in engaging and supporting the private sector to increase nutrition awareness and improve Nutrition Literacy – or health, hygiene, food and literacy. Besides becoming a part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan, it has also given companies a chance to impact social and economic change by promoting malnutrition-free families.

The PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme) is the largest school-feeding programme in India that prioritises monitoring school children's nutritional status in addition to serving them nutritious meals.

PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, was introduced by the government on August 15, 1995. To provide children in primary school (Class I to V) with one meal each day, the programme was introduced in 2,408 blocks across the nation. Following a Supreme Court decision from the same year, dated November 28, it was later rendered universal by expanding the coverage to all government and government-aided schools in 2001. In 2007, the programme's reach was expanded to include students in Upper Primary (Classes VI through VIII).

In the hope of receiving a nutritious meal, millions of children in India go to school. Community involvement and monitoring, together with ongoing government efforts, are the greatest ways to guarantee efficient implementation of MDM.

Through community involvement, we nurture and nourish children and encourage them to pursue their education that helps them mould a better future. For more than two decades, Bengaluru-based NGO The AkshayaPatra Foundation has served as the programme's implementing partner.

The organisation also strives to educate  children how to use nutritional information to build healthy eating habits through nutrition literacy by making children aware about nutrition-focused health outcomes with the help of its individual and corporate partners.

School – where children explore, dream & discover

 Every student's education at school helps in the discovery of their individual passions and interests. In a sense, school sets the way for children to design their career paths and rungs on the ladder to a prosperous future.

Why Schooling is Important for Children?

School is the primary source of education for a child. It gives children the ability to learn about many things, including people, literature, history, math, politics and social science. 

A school is also responsible for the overall development of children as this is where they learn about cultural diversity and moral values like honesty, respect, integrity, harmony and so on. It is also the first step to higher education and consequently, a good career and quality life.

School helps children socialise

Children have the opportunity to interact with other children of the same age-group by going to school. While some children just interact with their classmates, others develop lifelong friendships. Socialising and meeting new people also extend their horizons in terms of knowledge. 

School keeps children engaged

Being idle all day can be really boring and exhausting. Going to school keeps children active and teaches them other valuable skills, in addition to keeping them active.

School makes children vocal and instills confidence

Schooling instills confidence among children and they become more vocal as they have new ideas and thoughts about various topics. School teaches children to question and understand everything rationally. 

School contributes towards overall development

The days when learning just involved memorising historical events, cracking difficult math problems, and memorising sonnets and poems are long gone. Today, education is a child's first step in life, where he or she learns a lot more than merely memorising facts. One of the many things a school gives a child is the ability to develop and refine their interests. Other things include learning the basics of manners, becoming proficient at multitasking and enhancing their social skills.

Apart from the above advantages, schooling trains children to live a civilised and cultured life when they grow up. Schooling brings self-discipline among children and makes them responsible. School enables children to read, write, speak and express themselves adequately and shapes their personality.

To ensure that children get the best of everything in terms of education, growth and more, as they come back to school for a new academic year, supporting children from backgrounds with limited resources through NGOs like Akshaya Patra, can go a long way. Every donation made towards the NGO guarantees nutritious mid-day meals to government school children every day, thus allowing them to focus on their academics and other co-curricular activities. 

These meals simultaneously aim to improve the nutritional level of children and enhance their enrolment, retention, and attendance at schools. Akshaya Patra’s 67 kitchens cook and deliver the meals to over 22,000 school across 15 states and 2 UTs. 

Make ‘Back to School’ memorable for children and help the future generation fulfil their dreams and keep their hopes alive.

This World Health Day, let’s strengthen the foundation of the future

World Health Day is observed on April 7th every year to commemorate the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948. Since nutrition is a fundamental right of every individual, this day serves as a reminder to ensure that everyone has access to good health and well-being, regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic status.

The theme for World Health Day 2023 is "Health for All" to emphasise the need for equal access to nutrition and healthcare services for everyone. (Every year, the WHO declares a theme to draw attention to specific health issues that need urgent action.) This year’s theme is a good opportunity to initiate a discussion on child nourishment and the challenges in helping children access quality nutrition today.

The challenge

UNICEF data shows that about half of all deaths in children under five are due to undernutrition. Undernutrition puts children at a higher risk of dying from common infections. These infections affect them more frequently and severely and they take longer to recover.

The data suggests that although stunting has declined since 2000, wasting and obesity persist. We will require a reversal in trajectory and faster progress to achieve the 2030 target of ending all forms of malnutrition.

The progress

A well-nourished child has better physical and cognitive abilities, a stronger immune system and a reduced risk of illnesses. Malnutrition in the early years of a child’s life can have long-term effects on their physical and cognitive development, making it difficult for them to thrive later in life. Unfortunately, it remains a significant problem in many parts of the world, particularly developing countries.

In India, governments, NGOs and compassionate donors are working relentlessly to address child malnutrition, especially for those from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds. They are also collaborating to execute initiatives at the grassroots level.

One such collaboration exists between a non-profit organisation called The Akshaya Patra Foundation, the various governments in the country and the public. Together, they are striving to eliminate hunger and malnutrition among children in India. With the belief that education and nutrition go hand in hand, the NGO leverages the support to provide nutritious school meals to children who may otherwise go without any food at all.

This alliance has resulted in the effective implementation of the Central Government’s Mid-Day Meal or MDM Scheme (now known as the PM Poshan Abhiyaan). For 22 years, the NGO has been serving freshly cooked, nutritious mid-day meals from its centralised and decentralised kitchens across India.

These kitchens follow strict quality and hygiene standards and conduct regular training to increase efficiency. Today, with consistent efforts and support from donors worldwide, the NGO nourishes over 2 million children across 22,367 schools in 15 states and 2 union territories of India.

The MDM programme has not only improved the nutritional status of children, but has also contributed to their overall health and social well-being. It has also been instrumental in increasing school attendance and reducing dropout rates.

Akshaya Patra's work is especially noteworthy in the context of World Health Day. Its efforts have been recognised globally for providing nutritious mid-day meals to children every school day, addressing malnutrition and promoting healthier lifestyles. The MDM programme is a good example of how public and private collaboration can result in the successful execution of initiatives that aim to improve the status of underprivileged communities.

Donate to feed a child. Help build a strong foundation for the future.

World Health Day is an important reminder of the need for global health equity and access to healthcare for all. It is also a day to reiterate our commitment to child nutrition as a top priority, considering that it will help build a strong foundation for the future. On this day, let us take a moment to recognise the vital role of the NGOs in promoting child nourishment and overall health. By providing nutritious meals to children and educating them about the importance of health and hygiene, these organisations help to build a safer and healthier future for children.

You can all play a part in upholding a child’s right to nutrition by volunteering your time and expertise, spreading awareness about child malnutrition and donating to NGOs like Akshaya Patra.

 

Akshaya Patra is registered under the Income Tax Act of 1961. So, you can donate and save tax while supporting a noble cause. When you donate to feed a child with Akshaya Patra, you get a tax exemption certificate as proof and become eligible to avail 50% tax exemption on every donation you make.

Access to nutritious food is a basic human right. Let’s contribute and ensure that it is upheld.

When young children receive quality nourishment, the future will be in good hands.

Donate and save tax today.