Vadodara: A wedding feast, birthday celebration or community gathering may end with guests heading home, but the food left behind need not go to waste. Now, a new food truck in the city aims to create an organised link between events that generate surplus food and people who need meals.The Prashiv Food Truck, an initiative of Team Trees Charitable Trust led by social worker Rutvik Purohit, will be launched on Thursday to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.The mobile facility will collect suitable surplus food from social and family functions, transport it under appropriate conditions and distribute it among identified beneficiaries.While several initiatives in Vadodara are already involved in food redistribution, the Prashiv team plans to establish an organised, end-to-end network connecting event organisers and food donors with NGOs and beneficiary groups. The food truck will provide the infrastructure required for collection, transportation and distribution.Indian households waste an estimated 78.2 million tonnes of food annually — about 55 kg per person every year, according to UNEP.“Four years ago, we started Prashiv Annakshetra, through which meals are provided to underprivileged people, patients and their relatives at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Gotri on ‘amavasya’ and ‘purnima’. Now, we are extending this initiative to all those in need. We are in touch with many NGOs, especially those working for persons with disabilities,” Purohit said.Built at a cost of around Rs 11 lakh, the food truck is equipped to maintain suitable conditions for both hot and cold food during transportation and distribution. It will also have facilities to prepare fresh rotis at locations where meals are served.Under the proposed system, individuals and organisers left with surplus food after a function can contact the team for collection. The food will first be assessed for its suitability for consumption before being collected, transported and distributed.The team plans to establish links with around 35 organisations working with persons with disabilities across Vadodara. These organisations will help identify beneficiaries and expand the distribution network to ensure the food reaches those who need it.They will also collect surplus food from birthdays, wedding anniversaries, death anniversaries and other occasions.The initiative has received support from Sanvi Charitable Trust. Citizens and representatives of various organisations are expected to attend Thursday’s launch.
