Swiggy Introduces ‘Swiggy Serves’ to Tackle Food Waste

India's leading on-demand convenience platform, Swiggy, has introduced its flagship program, “Swiggy Serves,” aimed at minimizing food waste and addressing hunger across its value chain. This initiative reflects Swiggy's commitment to social responsibility by redistributing surplus food from its restaurant partners to underserved communities.

Partnership with Robin Hood Army (RHA)

Swiggy has partnered with the Robin Hood Army (RHA), a volunteer-driven, zero-funds organization. Together, they aim to leverage technology to tackle hunger and food wastage, setting an ambitious goal of redistributing 50 million meals by 2030. RHA, known for its grassroots efforts, collects surplus food from various sources and distributes it to those in need. In the past decade, RHA has served over 153 million meals across 406 cities in 13 countries.

Pilot Phase Achievements

The pilot phase of the Swiggy Serves-RHA partnership has already yielded significant results. Over 2,000 meals have been redistributed in 33 cities, with more than 126 restaurant partners joining the initiative. Swiggy’s commitment to transforming surplus food into a resource to combat hunger has resonated strongly within its ecosystem.

Prominent Restaurant Partners Join the Initiative

Several renowned brands have pledged their support to the Swiggy Serves program. Some of the notable partners include:

• Bikkgane Biryani

• Biryani by the Kilo

• Dana Choga

• Charcoal Eats - Biryani & Beyond

• Urban Tandoor

• Babai Tiffins

• House of Biryani

These restaurants have come forward to contribute surplus or fresh food to the cause, helping Swiggy and RHA move closer to their goal of eradicating hunger.

Simplified Participation for Restaurants

Swiggy has made it easy for restaurant partners to join the Swiggy Serves initiative. Restaurants can sign up through the Swiggy Owner app, indicating their willingness to donate surplus food. Once onboarded, RHA includes these partners in dedicated WhatsApp groups to streamline communication and food pickup coordination. Volunteers, known as Robins, handle the collection and distribution process.

Addressing Hunger and Food Waste in India

India faces significant challenges in addressing hunger and food waste. According to the United Nations, India has nearly 195 million undernourished people, making up one-fourth of the global undernourished population. In 2024, India ranked 105 out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 27.3, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

In addition, India wastes 55 kg of food per person annually. Programs like Swiggy Serves aim to bridge the gap between surplus food and those in need, tackling these dual challenges.

CEO’s Vision for ‘Swiggy Serves’

Rohit Kapoor, CEO of Swiggy Food Marketplace, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative during its launch. He emphasized Swiggy's role as an expert in logistics and consumer experience, now being used to address larger societal issues. Kapoor highlighted the program's dual focus on reducing waste and creating a meaningful impact by ensuring no meal goes wasted.

With operations currently active in 33 cities, Swiggy plans to expand the initiative to more locations. Kapoor called for more restaurant partners to join the movement, reinforcing the collective effort to combat food waste and hunger.

A Step Towards Zero Hunger

The Swiggy Serves initiative aligns with global efforts to achieve zero hunger. By redistributing surplus food and encouraging sustainability, Swiggy and its partners are contributing to a larger mission of addressing food insecurity in India.

Conclusion

Swiggy Serves marks a significant step in combating food wastage and hunger in India. With the support of restaurant partners and RHA volunteers, the initiative demonstrates how technology and collaboration can create a meaningful impact. As the program expands, Swiggy’s vision of turning surplus food into a valuable resource has the potential to transform lives and set an example for the global community.