Food banks to be set up in Mumbai, Ahmedabad to feed poor

India Food Banking Network, headed by Sam Pitroda, plans to set up two food banks in Ahmedabad and Mumbai to feed the poor in 2014.

Food banks are set up to store food products donated by big manufacturers for distribution to the organisations working towards eliminating hunger.

India Food Banking Network, an arm of Food Security Foundation India, is working in the area of food security in collaboration with the government, private sector and NGOs. Currently, the Network has set up six food banks in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bangalore, Kolkata and Jaipur.

"We are still evolving. Many corporations have shown interest. We are planning to scale this up across the country. Two more food banks are expected by end of this year," Cargill India Chairman Siraj Chaudhry said on the sidelines of the culmination ceremony of the 'Food-a-Thon' campaign. The food banks will be set up in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Chaudhry said, adding that companies like Kelloggs are keen to be a part of this initiative. Chaudhry said the 'Food-a-Thon' campaign created awareness about donating food for the poor. Schools, NGOs and private firms participated in the campaign.

"Although poverty is declining but still 26% of our population lives below the poverty line. It is extremely important to pay attention towards feeding the poor." DLF Foundation CEO Rajender Singh said.

Cargill India, Reliance Foundation, DLF, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, among others are key partners in the Network.