Mumbai: Soon, women from self-help groups trained by chefs from five-star hotels will be serving food for as less as ₹10 through food trucks. The initiative, called ‘Mid-day Meals on Wheels for the Poor’, is a joint effort by the Weaker Section Development Mission (WSDM) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), Trikaal Inc and India CSR.
Under this scheme, women from the weaker sections of society who have formed self-help groups will be given an opportunity to cook and sell meals from these food trucks. On Friday, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale launched two food trucks worth ₹12 lakh, which were donated by Trikaal Inc. Ten more food trucks will be added over the next 18 months.
In addition, the company will provide for overheads and raw materials to cross-subsidise such operations till the women become self-reliant. The HRAWI will provide training at eight hotels owned by members, for which many reputed hotels and restaurants have lent support. Renu Jain, chairperson, Trikaal Inc. said by June 15, both trucks will be deployed in areas like BKC and SEEPZ and provide employment to about 50 women.
Former HRAWI president Bharat Malkani said, “Inflation, taxes and overheads are increasingly taking food beyond the reach of common man. Mumbai is filled with people who earn less than ₹9,000 per month or ₹300 per day and cannot afford the cost of an average meal. We decided to support the scheme so that our fellow residents will get at least one square nutritious and delicious meal a day.”
Mr. Athawale said, “This initiative will help women take their homemade products to office-goers and others. Mumbaikars deserve healthy, hygienic meals at prices that the common man can afford.”
Rusen Kumar of India CSR said this domain will be further explored with NGOs working at the grassroots level and development organidations like the Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Centre (BARTI), Mahatama Phule Backward Class Development Corporation.
