NEW DELHI/GORAKHPUR: In a significant step towards strengthening child nutrition and promoting quality education, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s state-of-the-art centralized kitchen in Gorakhpur. Equipped with advanced technology and capable of preparing one lakh meals every day, the facility will provide freshly cooked, hygienic, and nutritious meals to children studying in government and aided schools under the Prime Minister’s PM Poshan Yojana.
The inauguration marks another milestone in the state’s efforts to improve nutrition among school-going children while supporting their education through the mid-day meal programme. The kitchen is expected to benefit thousands of students across the region by ensuring the timely supply of quality meals prepared under strict hygiene standards.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation was represented at the inauguration by its Co-founder and Vice Chairman, Chanchalapati Dasa, along with National President and Trustee Bharatrsabha Dasa. Senior officials and dignitaries associated with the programme were also present on the occasion.
Nutrition Key to Fighting Malnutrition: Yogi Adityanath
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that providing clean and nutritious food to children is one of the most effective ways to combat malnutrition. He noted that healthy meals contribute not only to the physical development of children but also improve their learning abilities and classroom attendance.
The Chief Minister said that maintaining high standards of hygiene is the foundation of quality food. According to him, the newly inaugurated kitchen represents an excellent blend of modern technology, scientific food preparation methods, and an efficient distribution network designed to ensure that meals reach children fresh and on time.
He further stated that the facility’s ability to prepare one lakh meals every day is a major contribution towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a “Suposhit Bharat” or a well-nourished India. He congratulated the Akshaya Patra Foundation for its continued efforts in supporting child nutrition and education across the country.
Public-Private Partnership Driving Social Welfare
Speaking during the event, Akshaya Patra Foundation Co-founder Chanchalapati Dasa described the Gorakhpur kitchen as a successful example of collaboration between the government and the private sector. He expressed gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh government for extending continuous support in making the project a reality.
He reiterated that the foundation’s primary mission is to ensure that no child is deprived of education because of hunger. According to him, nutritious meals encourage regular school attendance and create a healthier environment for learning.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Shri Soma Shekhar and thanked the state government for its trust and cooperation. He said that together they are working to strengthen child nutrition, support education, and contribute towards building a healthier, educated, and developed India.
Modern Technology with a Focus on Sustainability
Spread across nearly 2.5 acres, the centralized kitchen has been designed with modern infrastructure and environmentally sustainable features. The facility operates on a hybrid gas and steam-based cooking system that enables large-scale meal preparation while maintaining high food safety standards.
To ensure efficient transportation of meals, the foundation has deployed 23 electric vehicles that will deliver food to schools in different parts of the district. The use of electric vehicles reflects the organization’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while ensuring timely delivery.
The kitchen also houses a 160-kilowatt solar power plant, helping meet a portion of its energy requirements through renewable sources. Additional sustainability measures include a rainwater harvesting system and a wastewater treatment plant capable of processing up to two lakh litres of water.
The food preparation system is equipped with two automatic roti-making machines capable of producing nearly 40,000 rotis every hour. During the second phase of development, the facility will also include a biogas plant to further improve waste management and energy efficiency.
Strengthening India’s School Nutrition Network
Founded in 2000, the Akshaya Patra Foundation has emerged as one of India’s largest technology-driven community kitchen networks. Over the years, the organization has expanded its operations across multiple states, supporting the implementation of school meal programmes aimed at improving nutrition and educational outcomes.
At present, the foundation serves nutritious meals every day to nearly 23.5 lakh beneficiaries through more than 25,000 schools and anganwadis spread across 16 states and three Union Territories.
The addition of the Gorakhpur kitchen is expected to further strengthen the foundation’s nationwide network and enhance the delivery of nutritious meals to children under the PM Poshan Yojana.
With its emphasis on technology, hygiene, environmental sustainability, and efficient logistics, the new facility represents a significant investment in the health, education, and future of India’s young generation.
