Adani-ISKCON Mahaprasad: The World’s Most Efficient Food Distribution System, Minimal Wastage

Millions are fed daily, yet wastage is almost negligible.

Food wastage remains below 2%.

Strategic planning and tracking prevent food loss.

Adani Group and ISKCON have come together to distribute Mahaprasad across the Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela and the entire city. Adani Group has committed to providing meals to one lakh devotees daily, with ISKCON’s kitchen operating round the clock. The most remarkable aspect of this large-scale food distribution is the meticulous planning to prevent food wastage. According to an ISKCON spokesperson, food wastage never exceeds 2% under any circumstances.

Meticulous Planning Prevents Food Wastage

Food preparation at ISKCON’s kitchen begins as early as 2 AM. According to ISKCON’s volunteer Nikhil, vegetables are procured every morning, amounting to approximately 500 quintals daily. However, this is not done randomly—each meal is planned a day in advance, ensuring that every detail of procurement, preparation, and distribution is accounted for.

From the moment cooking begins, efforts to minimize wastage are set into motion. A four-member team continuously tracks food consumption. Every hour, the quantity of Mahaprasad consumed is measured. Estimates indicate that 800-1000 devotees partake in Prasad at a given location per hour. The quantity consumed also varies depending on how it is served—seated devotees typically consume around 750 grams, whereas those standing or walking while eating consume 350-400 grams.

Continuous Tracking Ensures Efficiency

Although Adani-ISKCON’s distribution team does not use food-tracking apps like Zomato or Swiggy, they have an efficient manual tracking system in place. A dedicated 4-5 member team monitors food supply and demand at all distribution points. Regular updates are shared throughout the day regarding availability and consumption.

By evening, any leftover Prasad is collected and redistributed by 6-7 PM. A special team ensures that the food remains fresh and uncontaminated. If food cannot be transported back due to traffic congestion, Adani and ISKCON volunteers distribute it to pedestrians and travelers stuck in jams. The entire system is designed with a singular mission—ensuring that not a single grain of food goes to waste.

Massive Distribution Target

Adani Group, in collaboration with ISKCON, has set a goal of distributing Mahaprasad to one lakh people daily throughout the Mahakumbh Mela. Additionally, Adani Group, in partnership with Gita Press, is distributing one crore Aarti collections. This noble initiative will continue as long as the Mahakumbh Mela is underway.