In a significant step to combat classroom hunger, The Akshaya Patra Foundation has rolled out a pioneering Morning Nutrition programme for students in Visakhapatnam. This initiative, the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh, aims to ensure children receive nutritious food before their academic day begins, directly addressing the issue of morning hunger.
Combating Morning Hunger in Government Schools
The programme was launched after foundation officials observed that many children attend school on an empty stomach. Dr. Niskinchana Bhakta Das, Regional President of Akshaya Patra Foundation, highlighted this pressing need, which prompted the creation of the new scheme. Initially, the programme will operate three days a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—benefiting approximately 49,000 children across 321 government schools in the Vizag region.
Following the morning school assembly, students will be served a variety of healthy snacks. The menu focuses on nutrient-rich options and includes items like:
- Chekki (a traditional millet-based snack)
- Roasted peanuts
- Other roasted snacks
- Protein bars
The foundation has budgeted the cost at Rs 15 per student per week, which amounts to an annual expenditure of Rs 600 per child, supported entirely by donor contributions.
Expansion Plans and Pilot Phase
This launch in Visakhapatnam is just the beginning. The foundation has outlined an ambitious expansion strategy. The programme is set to be introduced in Srikakulam within the next 15 days. Following that, a launch in Mangalagiri is pending, awaiting the availability of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu for the inauguration ceremony.
The current offering in Vizag is a pilot phase scheduled to run from December 2025 to March 2026. Based on its success and feedback, the foundation plans to scale up the frequency from three days to six days a week starting next year.
Building on a Legacy of Mid-Day Meals
The Morning Nutrition programme is an extension of Akshaya Patra's longstanding commitment to school children. The foundation began its operations in Visakhapatnam back in 2008 with a mid-day meal programme serving 5,440 children in just seven Zilla Parishad High Schools.
Today, with support from both state and central governments, its footprint has grown substantially. The organisation now runs two large kitchens in the city that cater to the same 49,000 children in 321 schools under the mid-day meal scheme. Nationally, Akshaya Patra, which started 25 years ago in Bengaluru feeding 1,500 people, now provides meals to an impressive 2.3 million children every day across India through a network of 78 kitchens.
Dr. Das expressed gratitude towards the donors, government officials, and well-wishers whose support made the new morning initiative possible. This programme represents a crucial addition to the nutritional safety net for students, ensuring they are nourished and ready to learn from the start of the school day.
