NRAI and Share Our Strength Join Hands to Combat Child Hunger at Indian Restaurant Summit 2025

In a powerful move to address childhood hunger and poverty in India, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Share Our Strength, a globally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger. The MoU was formalized during the Annual General Meeting of NRAI, held from September 15-17, 2025, in Goa, at the 4th edition of the Indian Restaurant Summit. This collaboration aims to leverage the vast reach and influence of the restaurant industry to create sustainable solutions ensuring no child in India goes hungry.

Key Points
MoU Signing and Partnership Goals
The partnership is designed to mobilize India’s restaurant ecosystem to contribute meaningfully to social welfare, beyond just business interests.

Together, NRAI and Share Our Strength have committed to building programs aimed at eradicating childhood hunger through awareness campaigns, fundraising, and direct involvement of restaurants as social change agents.

The inaugural support came from Olive Bar & Kitchen, which contributed INR 30 lakhs to bolster the cause, inspiring others in the industry to step forward.

Voices from the Summit
NRAI President Sagar Daryani emphasized the industry’s responsibility to extend the power of food to those in need, stating, “Restaurants have always been about community. This initiative brings that ethos to the forefront by ensuring children receive the nutrition they deserve.”

AD Singh, Founder & Managing Director of Olive Bar & Kitchen highlighted that food represents care and dignity, motivating his company’s support and calling on peers to join the movement.

Debbie Shore, Co-Founder of Share Our Strength, noted the critical scale of India’s foodservice sector and how channeling its resources can significantly impact children’s nutrition, learning, and overall welfare.

Broader Industry and Social Impact
The Indian restaurant industry, representing over 500,000 establishments and valued at INR 5.69 lakh crore, wields significant social influence and economic power.

This partnership offers a replicable model for other sectors to engage corporates in social causes, blending economic growth with purpose-driven initiatives.

The collaboration aligns with India’s broader nutritional goals and governmental efforts to reduce child malnutrition and food insecurity.

The Summit and NRAI’s Role
The Indian Restaurant Summit 2025 was a convergence of industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and restaurateurs focused on innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.

NRAI, the apex body representing the Indian restaurant sector since 1982, continues to champion industry growth while fostering social contributions through strategic partnerships.

The Summit’s agenda included discussions on sustainable growth, technology integration, and community impact, with the MoU signing marking a seminal moment in the summit’s narrative.

Conclusion
The partnership between NRAI and Share Our Strength to tackle child hunger represents a beacon of hope and a paradigm shift for the Indian restaurant sector’s role in social development. This collaboration harnesses the industry’s vast network and resources to address one of the most pressing societal challenges—childhood hunger. With committed industry players leading the cause and supportive global expertise from Share Our Strength, this initiative charts a promising path to ensuring no child in India goes hungry and every meal served can double as an act of care and community building.

Sources:  Economic Times Hospitality, Business of Food Bureau, Goemkarponn News, The Goan News