Last month, on March 8, the Sattvic Meals Foundation officially held its grand launch, drawing in dignitaries and community members from across the Bay Area.
The Sattvic Meals Foundation is an organization that is working to address student hunger in community colleges across the United States.
“According to a recent survey, more than 50% of students are facing food insecurity,” said Rekha Prodduturi, Sattvic Meals Foundation’s Executive Director. “We want to change that.”
A few years ago, Prodduturi decided to leave her corporate job. She felt a deep calling to fully serve her community and lay the groundwork for what would ultimately become an organization.
Sattvic Meals Foundation’s goal is to provide hot, nutritious, karma-free meals. This year, they have a bold vision of making 50,000 meals for college kids studying at local community colleges. By 2030, they hope to have served one million meals.
The word “sattvic” is tied to Ayurveda, a whole-body system of healing and medicine founded in India a few thousand years ago. It is a holistic modality, known as one of the oldest natural healing systems in the world.
A sattvic diet promotes balance and health in the body. It is looked at as a way of promoting well-being, inner peace, and mental clarity.
“When you get good, conscious food, it helps with your mind and soul as well,” said Prodduturi.
Vijay Datt, a Sattvic Meals Foundation Board Member, is also deeply committed to the organization’s mission.
“These are young students in the early part of their life, maybe they have a second job, and they’re trying to study a vocation and get ahead in life,” said Dasa. “They don’t have access to hot, healthy meals. So we’re starting with them. We want to be there for the children in their moment of need, and empower them to carry it forward and help others.”
Although they didn’t have their official launch until recently, the organization served their very first meals to 115 college students at De Anza College back in January.
In the past four weeks alone, the Sattvic Meals Foundation has served over 700 meals to over 500 students at both De Anza and West Valley colleges as part of their pilot program.
Sattvic Meals Foundation has also been launching centers on the east coast. Along with Milpitas, they’ve also started operations in New Jersey and Boston – and they don’t plan on stopping there. The goal is to continue to expand to New York and Washington, D.C.
At Sattvic Meal Foundation’s launch, which happened in Fremont, community leaders and members from all over the area attended. From Milpitas, Vice Mayor Garry Barbadillo was present, along with Milpitas Planning Commissioner Dipak Awasthi. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Omar Torres, President of De Anza College, who highlighted the urgent need to support students facing food insecurity. Over 200 guests were in attendance.
“Food insecurity is a big challenge these days. Especially in this high cost of living area. It’s unfortunate that students have to go hungry,” said Prodduturi. “I think we should do our part in helping our students because the future is in their hands. If we take care of our students, we are taking care of our future and our communities at large.”
You can watch a YouTube video of the event here. And learn more about the Sattvic Meals Foundation on their website.
