Factors to consider during mass production of food
Akshaya Patra is a mid-day meal NGO in India providing nutrition school lunch to 1.75 million children across 12 states on each school day. To conduct such large-scale cooking Akshaya Patra operates centralised kitchens with capacity to cook up to one lakh meal per day by keeping 5 key factors intact across all its units.
Akshaya Patra is a mid-day meal NGO in India providing nutrition school lunch to 1.75 million children across 12 states on each school day. To conduct such large-scale cooking Akshaya Patra operates centralised kitchens with capacity to cook up to one lakh meal per day by keeping 5 key factors intact across all its units.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
5 key fac<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>consider</strong> <strong>during</strong> <strong>mass</strong><br />
<strong>production</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>food</strong><br />
Akshaya Patra is a mid-day meal NGO in India providing nutrition school lunch <strong>to</strong> 1.75 million children<br />
across 12 states on each school day. To conduct such large-scale cooking Akshaya Patra operates<br />
centralised kitchens with capacity <strong>to</strong> cook up <strong>to</strong> one lakh meal per day by keeping 5 key fac<strong>to</strong>rs intact<br />
across all its units.
When it is about large-scale cooking, hygiene and cleanliness is a major concern. The Akshaya<br />
Patra Foundation, a mid-day meal NGO in India is a pioneer in using technology for ensuring<br />
healthy and safe meals for children. This NGO began its service since 2000. Over the years, the<br />
Foundation has scaled up its feeding numbers from 1,500 children <strong>to</strong> 1.75 million children in<br />
2018. Currently, Akshaya Patra is providing meals in 38 locations across 12 states <strong>of</strong> India, on<br />
each school day. Of the <strong>to</strong>tal, 36 locations operate centralised kitchens and two locations run<br />
decentralised kitchens.<br />
Running such as a large programme sustainably and successfully isn’t a trivial task, and Akshaya<br />
Patra is well-aware <strong>of</strong> it. During the past 17 years <strong>of</strong> its service, Akshaya Patra has ensured that<br />
only healthy and hygienic meals reach the children each time and every time. Hence, the<br />
Foundation has paid utmost attention <strong>to</strong> five fac<strong>to</strong>rs required <strong>during</strong> <strong>mass</strong> <strong>production</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>food</strong> in<br />
both its centralised kitchen concept operations and decentralised kitchen format:<br />
1. Quality assurance <strong>of</strong> raw materials – Akshaya Patra has adopted Supplier Selection<br />
Management System <strong>to</strong> ensure that only best quality raw material is used for cooking<br />
meals. This system includes processes such as Supplier Selection, Supplier Qualification,<br />
Supplier Rating and the like. All the raw materials are inspected thoroughly before<br />
procurement based on Raw Material Specifications, which has been adapted from Food<br />
Safety Standards Act 2006 (FSSA). Vegetables are either procured daily or s<strong>to</strong>red in cold<br />
s<strong>to</strong>rage. Dry raw materials such as rice, wheat, spices are s<strong>to</strong>red in designated s<strong>to</strong>re<br />
The Akshaya Patra Foundation © 2018
ooms. FIFO (First In First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry First Out) methods are employed<br />
<strong>to</strong> ensure all the raw materials are fresh.<br />
2. Hygiene and Cleanliness – This NGO in India follows a strict and manda<strong>to</strong>ry hygiene and<br />
cleanliness process. Each and every kitchen staff across all kitchens have <strong>to</strong> manda<strong>to</strong>rily<br />
follow personal hygiene and <strong>food</strong> safety measures. All the vegetables are cleaned with<br />
potable water and sanitised before the cutting process. All the cooking equipment like<br />
cauldrons, trolleys, rice chutes and sambar/dal tanks, cutting boards, knives and the like<br />
are sterilised using steam before the cooking process begins. The vessels used in the<br />
kitchens are made <strong>of</strong> stainless steel <strong>of</strong> 304 grade that is best for cooking and handling<br />
<strong>food</strong>.<br />
The Akshaya Patra Foundation © 2018
3. Standard Process and moni<strong>to</strong>ring – The centralised kitchen concept <strong>of</strong> Akshaya Patra<br />
are operated based on Standard Operating Processes. Right from procurement <strong>of</strong> raw<br />
materials till delivery <strong>of</strong> meals, each stage is moni<strong>to</strong>red closely <strong>to</strong> ensure safety <strong>of</strong> <strong>food</strong>.<br />
All Akshaya Patra kitchens have well-trained cooks and Production Supervisors <strong>to</strong><br />
manage and supervise the <strong>production</strong>. Quality check is done by designated Quality<br />
Officers <strong>to</strong> ensure <strong>food</strong> quality is maintained. The Cooked <strong>food</strong> is packed in insulated<br />
vessels and transported in cus<strong>to</strong>mised insulated delivery vehicles <strong>to</strong> retain freshness <strong>of</strong><br />
meals. In addition, the NGO makes use <strong>of</strong> the GPRS technology <strong>to</strong> moni<strong>to</strong>r safety and<br />
on-time delivery <strong>of</strong> meals.<br />
4. Continuous Improvement – This mid-day meal NGO in India has adopted methods like<br />
Kaizen, Six Sigma, Continual Improvement Projects <strong>to</strong> enhance its efficiency and<br />
increase productivity. These methods have proved beneficial in reassessment <strong>of</strong> existing<br />
processes, innovating new processes, and implementing efficient procedures <strong>to</strong><br />
enhance operations, maximise <strong>production</strong>, and benefit more children. The Foundation is<br />
a recipient <strong>of</strong> Indizen Award, CII National Food Safety Award, Lean Six Sigma Award,<br />
Quality Mark Award, and Asian MAKE Award by CII.<br />
5. Eco-friendly measures – While taking care in <strong>mass</strong> <strong>production</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>food</strong>, Akshaya Patra is<br />
also aware <strong>of</strong> the pro-environmental measures it has <strong>to</strong> observe <strong>to</strong> safeguard the<br />
ecosystem. Hence, the NGO has adopted green technologies such as biogas plant,<br />
briquette boiler, solar power, and sewage treatment plants in most <strong>of</strong> its kitchens. The<br />
The Akshaya Patra Foundation © 2018
adoption <strong>of</strong> these measures has not only helped in reducing carbon footprint but has<br />
positively reduced operational cost <strong>to</strong>o.<br />
In conclusion, as an NGO in India Akshaya Patra is cognisant about the impact <strong>of</strong> its service,<br />
hence, apart from the above-mentioned five fac<strong>to</strong>rs, it also takes all necessary measures and<br />
steps <strong>to</strong> provide nutritious and safe meals <strong>to</strong> millions <strong>of</strong> children across the country.<br />
Follow us on<br />
The Akshaya Patra Foundation © 2018