About Us
History and Evolution of the Food Future Foundation
The Food Future Foundation was born from the urgent need to address the multifaceted challenges of India’s food systems, with its inception in October 2019. Established as a public trust, our journey began amidst growing concerns about sustainability, nutrition, and food security in India. Recognizing the potential for significant impact, we embarked on a mission to transform India’s food systems into models of sustainability and health.
From the release of pioneering educational resources like the “Eat Right: Food Systems Approach” textbook to leading the Coalition for Food System Transformation in India (CoFTI), our efforts have been rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to making a difference.
Through strategic partnerships, educational initiatives, and advocacy, we’ve worked tirelessly to drive a people-centric change in how food is produced, consumed, and perceived, aiming for a future where everyone has access to nutritious, sustainable food.
Vision and Mission
Vision: To create a future where India’s food systems are transformed to sustain both people and the planet, ensuring every individual has access to nutritious, sustainable, and ethically produced food. We envision a world where healthy diets and sustainable food practices are the norm, contributing to the eradication of hunger, the promotion of health, and the preservation of our environment.
Mission: Our mission is to change India’s food systems for a future where healthy and sustainable food is accessible to all. We strive to achieve this by fostering collaboration among people and organizations from diverse sectors, ensuring comprehensive involvement from farmers to consumers in creating more equitable, sustainable, and nutritious food systems.
Theory of Change
At the heart of our work lies a simple yet profound belief: empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed food choices can catalyze systemic change. Starting with education at the school level and involving families and communities, we aim to cultivate a society that prioritizes health, sustainability, and ethical food practices. This societal shift is envisioned to drive demand for sustainable agricultural practices, prompting changes in production methods, and influencing policies and programs for a holistic transformation of the food system. By fostering an ecosystem where informed consumers drive demand for sustainable and healthy food, we believe we can achieve a profound and lasting impact on India’s food systems.
A Holistic Approach
At the Food Future Foundation, we unite diverse stakeholders, balancing public and private interests to ensure that our initiatives not only drive profit but also promote public welfare. By incorporating ground-level voices into our strategies, we ensure that our solutions are comprehensive and inclusive, paving the way for a sustainable food future.
Governance, Funding, and Monitoring
Our work is supported by robust governance, funding mechanisms, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation practices. This ensures that our actions are directed, accountable, and impactful, contributing to the sustainable transformation of India’s food systems.
Administrative and Legal Overview
The Food Future Foundation, initially known as the Eat Right Foundation, was legally established on October 10, 2019, with Trust Deed no. 8991, and is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana. A significant rebranding to its current name was recorded under Trust Deed no. 2954 on November 2, 2020. The founding team was comprised of esteemed professionals including Dr. Chandrakanta S. Pandav, Dr. Rajan Sankar, and Ms. Ishi Khosla, with Ms. Megha Handa and Mr. Elisha Johnson serving as founding trustees. The leadership was further strengthened by the appointment of Pawan Agarwal, former CEO of FSSAI, as Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 2023.
A noteworthy update to the Trust Deed on February 12, 2024, formally incorporated Sh. Pawan Kumar Agarwal into the Foundation’s activities, which are now principally operated from the administrative office in New Delhi.
The Foundation enjoys a tax-exempt status under Sections 80 G and 12 A of the Income Tax Act, qualifying it to receive CSR funding. It is duly registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, and is listed on the Darpan Portal by NITI Aayog.
