India to have food banks by year-end: Pitroda

NEW DELHI: A global non-profit organisation will start food banks in the country aiming to provide food to the needy by the end of this year, noted thinker Sam Pitroda said here today.

Chicago-based Global FoodBanking Network ( GFN), which provides food to the poor people in 30 countries, plans to open food banks in the country.

Pitroda is on of the GFN Board. "Our effort will be to socialise the idea in India and then with proper modification launch India Food bank by the end of this year," Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation, said.

Pitroda said the programme would be rolled out nationally as food is needed in every village.

"It will be a non-profit organisation, where people will donate food, store food and distribute food to make sure it reaches to the needy. It will have nationwide network, because you need food in every village," he added.

Piroda was speaking at a programme on the necessity of food banks for country's sustained food security, which assumes importance with the growth in population and shrinking food resources.

Founded in 2006, GFN is the only non-profit organisation dedicated to create, supply and strengthen food banks and food bank networks globally.

It is also the largest non-governmental network devoted to fighting hunger with the mission to alleviate world hunger.