I need to thank the daughters friends mom for this lovely visit and opportunity to visit a state of the art kitchen that feeds lacs of children a day.
This kitchen that supplies Midday meals to thousands of schools in a day is run and managed by ISCKON. We reached the centre at 10.30 in the morning where the last meal was being cooked. On menu on a Friday was dal khichdi with pumpkin. We were greeted by the centre manager who took us in and explained the entire process beginning with the store room where all the grains and other supplies were kept. They showed us how the whole process is automated and no human intervention is needed. The grains are weighed as per the requirement set and passed on from the conveyor belt straight into huge pots. The unit does not use any gas but instead uses steam cooking to retain maximum nutrients from the food.
Large containers with the khichdi being cooked
Khichdi simmering
Adding the tadka
Release of the lever to fill the vessels
Once the khichdi is cooked the tadka is added by turning another pot over and then just stirred into the khichdi. Once the khichdi is cooked its released into 10 kg steel vessels with the help of a lever. The vessels are then packed and tagged with different colour seals to indicate the quantity packed.
Cleaning area
There is a separate team designated for cooking, cutting, delivery and cleaning. The meal is cooked in extremely hygienic conditions. I would let the pictures do the talking on this one.
You could read more about the Midday meal here and dont forget to make your donations.
At the end of this lovely session we saw the vessels being loaded into the delivery van and tasted the khichdi that was delicious.
Do contact the centre authorities if you would like to organize a visit with your children. Its truly an experience!
Kanishka Pariani
KSP Promotions
Parul Gupta
Janani S Koushik
