An  introduction  to  our  partnerships  worK

Fortify Health works with state governments and quasi-governmental organisations to support the distribution of fortified wheat flour to vulnerable communities. Our dedicated partnerships team works closely with partners to support them in introducing and expanding fortification programmes and to provide ongoing technical assistance.

Why work with state governments and quasi-governmental organisations?

There are two main distribution channels for chakki atta in India: (a) through consumers buying chakki atta in the open market; and (b) through state governments or quasi-governmental organisations providing wheat or chakki atta to vulnerable communities at subsidised prices. We work both with millers and with government/quasi-government organisations to support them to provide fortified flour to their beneficiaries. This approach enables Fortify Health to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.

Social Safety Net Programmes
The largest government distributors of wheat or chakki atta are social safety net programmes (or SSNPs). SSNPs are generally implemented and operated by state governments, with support from relevant central government departments. The three largest SSNPs in India are:

1. A) The Public Distribution System (PDS), which distributes staple food grains, including wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene, that fall within certain economic status conditions.
2. B) The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which provides supplements, take home rations, meals and nutritious food items to children under six years old and pregnant and lactating mothers.
3. C) The PM Poshan (formerly Midday Meal Scheme), which is a government-funded programme that provides every child between 6-14 years of age in public schools with a hot meal at lunch time.

Quasi-governmental organisations
In addition to state or central government support, many quasi-governmental organisations, such as schools and religious institutions, provide wheat or chakki atta to the communities they serve.
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How  we  provide  support

Fortify Health supports state governments and quasi-governmental organisations with technical assistance to provide fortified flour through their food distribution schemes. We apply our deep experience of assisting millers to fortify their wheat flour to help partners to scope, implement and monitor food fortification programmes. As part of our support, we help partners to ensure that they are fortifying wheat flour in accordance with the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Our Partnerships

Feeding India is a not-for-profit organisation based in India that aims to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition outcomes in India. Currently, Feeding India provides ~100,000 meals to school children across India each day. Fortify Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Feeding India to work on consumer awareness of fortification, and increase the reach of fortified wheat flour to vulnerable populations.

Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) is an internationally-recognised organisation that works with governments and other partners to support the fortification of wheat flour, maize flour and rice across the world. Under the partnership, Fortify Health and FFI will work together to support government social safety net programmes to provide micronutrient-rich wheat flour to vulnerable communities in various Indian states. More information about our work with FFI is available in this blog post.