NGO Akshaya Patra crosses 5 billion meals
In a landmark achievement for India’s social sector, the Akshaya Patra Foundation has crossed the milestone of serving 5 billion meals to schoolchildren, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programme.
The milestone, commemorated in 2026 in the presence of the President of India, highlights the scale and impact of an initiative that began modestly in 2000 by feeding just 1,500 children in five Government schools in Bengaluru.
Founded under the inspiration of ISKCON Bangalore and guided by its founder A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the programme has grown into a nationwide movement under the leadership of Madhu Pandit Dasa. Its core philosophy-that no child should be deprived of education due to hunger-continues to drive its mission.
Today, the foundation serves over 2.3 million children daily across multiple states, working closely with government schemes to support school attendance and nutrition.
Its network of large, centralised kitchens-equipped with advanced automation and strict hygiene protocols-ensures the timely delivery of hot, nutritious meals to classrooms.
Beyond its flagship mid-day meal programme, Akshaya Patra has expanded its operations to Anganwadi feeding, disaster relief, and emergency responses, notably during the COVID-19 crisis, when it provided millions of meals to vulnerable communities. The organisation’s model has drawn international recognition.
It was previously acknowledged at the United Nations during its 4-billion-meal milestone and studied by institutions such as Harvard Business School as a scalable solution to hunger and education challenges.
Officials say the initiative has significantly improved school attendance and learning outcomes, positioning it as a powerful tool in addressing child hunger and breaking cycles of poverty across India.
