Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 5: The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe, headquartered in Bangalore, and the Y2K Tots Foundation, based in Cochin, received the prestigious Social Venture of the Year National award at the recent International Nutri-Cereal Convention 6.0 in Hyderabad. The event, organized by the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), India’s prime institution on millets, celebrated their significant contributions to addressing child malnutrition in India, particularly in communities where access to nutritious food remains scarce.

National Recognition for Pioneering Efforts in Millet-Based Nutrition

The national award highlights their profound expertise in millets and the innovative use of millet-based food products to fight malnutrition, focusing on underserved communities across India, including government schools, orphanages, anganwadis, and tribal areas. Mr. Renjith George, Managing Director of The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe and Founder of the Y2K Tots Foundation, accepted the award in the esteemed presence of Mr. Mijanur Rahman, Senior Director (R&D), South Asia Pacific Region, PepsiCo; Dr. R.C. Agarwal, Deputy Director General, ICAR, Government of India; N. Cheluvarayaswamy, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka; and Dr. B. Dayakar Rao, Principal Scientist at ICAR-IIMR and CEO of Nutrihub, IIMR.

Their Groundbreaking Initiatives: Good Food Thrive and Nourish Their Future

The recognition emphasizes the significant impact of Good Food Thrive and Nourish Their Future, initiatives led by The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe and the Y2K Tots Foundation working at the ground level to provide nutrient-rich, millet-based foods to children across India. Through Good Food Thrive, they deliver essential millet-based nutrition to underprivileged children, ensuring they receive the vital nutrients needed for healthy growth. Meanwhile The Nourish Their Future initiative centers on school-based programs across rural and urban India, aiming to build healthier eating habits by swapping out unhealthy junk food for millet-based options for the next generation.

 The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe: A New Era in Millet Nutrition for Children

Established in 2021, The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe originated from FoodFlavours, a Kochi-based startup that introduced India’s first box-packed wellness diet foods in 2020. Leveraging their strong expertise in millet-based nutrition, The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe has contributed to malnutrition eradication efforts by providing nutrient-dense, millet-based foods tailored to support the dietary needs of malnourished children.

Y2K Tots Foundation: Two decades of Committed to Supporting Vulnerable Children

Renjith George, the social entrepreneur established the Y2K Tots Foundation in 2000 during his Computer Engineering Studies at Bangalore, with a mission to support and uplift children in need. Since then, the organization has focused on child welfare activities in health and nutrition, academic support, co-curricular development, mental health awareness, skill-building, and community engagement concentrating on various government schools, orphanages, anganwadis, and tribal regions. The Foundation’s work has shown that millet-based nutrition can be an affordable, scalable solution to India’s malnutrition crisis. 

“This award reflects the transformative impact of millet-based nutrition on lives and acknowledges our efforts to create meaningful change for children in India,” stated Renjith George, Founder of the Y2K Tots Foundation and Managing Director of The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe. “We are committed to raising awareness about the negative effects of junk food culture and ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food. Millets offer a sustainable and nutrient-rich solution that contributes to a healthier future for our nation,” he added.

Supporting combat Child Malnutrition

India faces one of the highest rates of child malnutrition globally, creating an urgent need for effective, long-term solutions to provide children with the necessary food. As highlighted by UNICEF, this situation requires immediate action alongside sustainable strategies, such as those implemented by the Y2K Tots Foundation and Fresh Start Wellness Cafe. Their millet-based malnutrition eradication initiatives are ensuring that thousands of children across the country receive the essential nutrients needed for healthy development.

Nourishing with Purpose

The Fresh Start Wellness Cafe provides a variety of innovative millet-based products, including monthly diabetic-friendly combo packages, all available for online purchase at www.thewellnesscafe.in. Every purchase contributes directly to the Foundation’s mission, and their national recognition underscores their commitment to combating malnutrition. To learn more about the various initiatives supported by the Foundation and how you can help foster sustainable, community-driven change, visit www.y2ktots.org.

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