World Food Movement Sets Goal of One Million Meals by 2030 in US

New York: Indiaspora, the Iron Lady Foundation and the World Food Movement (WFM) co-hosted “The No One Hungry Project” at Paisley restaurant in New York on September 23. The event highlighted WFM’s mission to address food insecurity in the United States.

Indiaspora Executive Director Sanjeev Joshipura described the nonprofit as an organization that seeks to make the global Indian diaspora a force for good. Its work spans philanthropy, entrepreneurship, programs for younger generations and thought leadership across seven countries, he said. Joshipura said Indiaspora aims to become the “Davos of the global Indian” by building connections between diaspora leaders and people in India. Joshipura commended WFM’s work in India and the United States.

WFM Executive Director Naveena Dasa said the organization serves people facing food insecurity, with a particular focus on community college students who may lack access to government support. He said WFM operates in New Jersey and New York and is expanding to Washington, D.C., Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area and Dallas. He also cited meal service in Boston among its current activities.

Dasa said WFM serves about 10,000 meals a month and aims to provide a cumulative 1 million meals by 2030. Inspired by the Akshaya Patra Foundation, which he said has served 5 billion meals in India over 25 years, WFM also works with people experiencing homelessness.

Recalling a 2024 event at the United Nations in New York marking Akshaya Patra’s 4 billionth meal, Dasa said he invited the New York City mayor to attend. According to Dasa, the mayor offered a citation and Mayor’s office urged the organization to begin serving meals in New York. WFM began serving community college students in the city last year, he said.

“We believe in Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. So good practices of every country should go everywhere. The good practice of India is this Anna Daan [food donation], where we believe in serving freshly cooked hot meals. That’s how we serve the community here,” Dasa said.

WFM offers freshly cooked meals with Indian and American menu options. It also distributes weekend grocery kits to students at Title I elementary schools. Dasa said the organization uses technology in its kitchens to maintain hygiene and conducts regular audits to support financial transparency and compliance.

Sree Sreenivasan, co-founder of Digimentors and a former chief digital officer for New York City, said food insecurity within the Indian American community often goes unnoticed. He recalled visiting the South Asian Council for Social Services during a food pantry distribution in Queens two weeks earlier.

“But I want to take you to a moment in Queens two weeks ago, where I went to the South Asian Council for Social Services on their food pantry day, and they have hundreds of people waiting to get their Indian food packages with rice and dal, so that they’ll have good food for that week,” he said. Sreenivasan added that many Indian Americans may be unaware of the need in their own city.

Founder of Iron Lady Foundation Rashi Mehta spoke about the connection between nutrition, education and stability. She said food security is essential to women’s empowerment and girls’ education.

“How can we focus on our studies if we are not eating?” Mehta asked. She said her foundation supports education and food initiatives, which is why it co-hosted the event.

Students and staff from Medgar Evers College also described the impact of WFM’s work. Waleek Boone, who runs the college’s Transition Academy, said food insecurity can force students to choose among meals, transportation and housing. The academy helps students meet those needs, and its partnership with WFM provides another resource, he said.

Roshannee Rodney, a nursing student and mother at Medgar Evers College, shared her experience with food insecurity. Zion Griffith, a sophomore at the college, said the meal program helps students focus on their studies. Mark Greenberg discussed the importance of providing food to people experiencing homelessness in Harlem.

Shoba Viswanathan, Indiaspora’s senior managing director for USA and Global West, attended the event along with leaders of several nonprofit organizations.

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