The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    Covid-19 impact: India Inc launches startup to feed the poor

    Synopsis

    BigBasket’s promoter K Ganesh, Venkat Narayana CEO of construction firm Prestige group and Juggy Marwaha of international property consulting firm JLL, have joined hands and launched a startup FeedmyBangalore.

    Food poor - istockiStock
    On Thursday, India had announced a $22.6bn economic stimulus package cash transfers and food security measures, offering relief to the poor across the country hit by the nationwide lockdown to withstand the novel coronavirus pandemic.
    About half a dozen corporate chiefs and startups have partnered to support the economically backward afflicted by the Covid-19 outbreak and the resulting 21-day lockdown in the country.

    BigBasket promoter K Ganesh, Venkat Narayana CEO of construction firm Prestige group and Juggy Marwaha of international property consulting firm JLL, have joined hands and launched a startup FeedmyBangalore. Launched three days into the shutdown, the startup will work towards delivering food to underprivileged households within 30 hours. Others associated with the company include the Oota Company and B2B food technology company Hungerbox that runs cloud kitchen across major metros.

    “The target is to reach 2000-3000 underprivileged children and their families daily, through PARIKRMA Humanity Foundation and many others. Children of daily wage earners have no recourse to any sort of sustainable income under this forced lockdown,” said Juggy Marwaha, founder-trustee of Feedmybangalore.

    The newly-launched startup has set a target to serve 3 lakh meals during this challenging lockdown period and said it will clock 5000 meals within a week of its operation in Bengaluru. “The lockdown has brought in substantial change. It has changed the business model and the way people work,” said K Ganesh of BigBasket.
    Covid-19 pandemic has succumbed over a million people worldwide with nations adopting redressal and preventive measures including nationwide lockdown hitting poorest the hardest with no basic supply to fall upon.

    “This was the fastest ever set up of an institution. We have invested seed capital but there is a need for more people to contribute. The idea is to scale up to other cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad,” said Narayana, founder-trustee of Feedmybangalore.

    On Thursday, India had announced a $22.6bn economic stimulus package cash transfers and food security measures, offering relief to the poor across the country hit by the nationwide lockdown to withstand the novel coronavirus pandemic. Currently, India’s coronavirus case count stands at 724, of whom 66 have recovered and 17 have succumbed to the disease.
    SIDBI MSME Conclave 2024 |Register Now.
    ...more
    SIDBI MSME Conclave 2024 |Register Now.
    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in