: Begun in a 6ftx4ft room, This Couples Healthy Snacks Startup Now Earns Lakhs Monthly #IndiaNEWS #Entrepreneurs Difficult times often help us put things into perspective. Now more than ever we know

Begun in a 6ftx4ft room, This Couples Healthy Snacks Startup Now Earns Lakhs Monthly #IndiaNEWS #Entrepreneurs
Difficult times often help us put things into perspective. Now more than ever we know that shelter over our heads and nutritious food on the table, it is a privilege. However, access to safe, fresh and healthy food is unequal across the country.
In 2016, this difficulty in accessing nutritious food items by the underprivileged and the malnutrition that it caused got entrepreneur Japna Rishi Kaushik thinking. Reports released indicated that India had one of the worst cases of stunting among children under the age of five.
With expertise and experience in the field of food technology and nutrition, Japna determined to bring about a change.
Chocolate energy bars with the goodness of oats!
“A lot of us can buy a packet of almonds, but this is not affordable for people who aren’t as economically prosperous. But that does not mean that they shouldn’t be able to access nutritious food and snacks,??? says the 39-year-old based out of Gurugram.
Vivek Kaushik, her husband, had also founded his own NGO called the Edwell Society in 2008. The NGO works with grassroots communities on financial inclusion projects, livelihood and skill development, and the education space. The interaction with these grassroots communities further strengthened Japna’s will to bring about a change.
Birth of Hungry Foal
This understanding of nutrition deficits experienced by low-income groups led to the birth of ‘Hungry Foal’ in 2016. The Gurugram based startup sells nutritious (yet delicious) snacks starting at Rs 10!
“When we initially began, we were working out of a 6-foot by 4-foot room. Our target audience was mainly children, which is why we needed to make our products tasty in addition to being healthy. Ensuring that it is affordable was one of main focusses too!??? informs Japna.
Founders Vivek and Japna
After one year of managing operations, Japna was soon joined by Vivek who began managing the sales, marketing, business strategy, partnerships and fundraising.
Now, the startup has grown leaps and bounds after it’s humble beginnings. Hungry Foal manufactures 30,000 units every day to meet the demand. Their healthy snack options are prepared using a high concentration of oats, among other grains and nuts. One can choose from oats choco-chip muffin, kheer muffin, nut mixes etc.
The startup also worked in collaboration with the Society of Applied Sciences and the Centre for Health Research and Development (CHRD), where they have developed healthy snack options like choco-coconut biscuits (among six other products) for pregnant and lactating women from low-income groups.
Additionally, in collaboration with Edwell society (Vivek’s NGO), Hungry Foal launched Project Garbh.