Arogya World, a US-based nonprofit focused on diabetes prevention that has reached over 29.5 million people in India over 15 years, announced a commitment to train 10,000 street food vendors across India in healthier food preparation practices. This initiative was announced on September 22 at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2026 Annual Meeting. The program specifically targets the reduction of excess salt, avoiding the repeated use of cooking oil, adopting healthier cooking methods, and encouraging balanced meals to help prevent diet-related noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Training Program and Partnerships:
To execute the program, Arogya World is collaborating with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) to mobilize vendors in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other urban centers. Funding support is being provided by Beyond Type 1. The training utilizes simple visual materials tailored for varying literacy levels, followed by assessments and standardized modules, building on a successful 2024 pilot where 98% of participating vendors had never received formal training on these health risks.
Background and Public Health Impact:
The initiative addresses a massive public health need in a country with an estimated 10 million street food vendors, each serving 80 to 100 consumers daily. Noncommunicable diseases account for roughly 63% of deaths in India, with studies estimating 101 million people living with diabetes and 136 million with prediabetes. While India has made progress in food safety and hygiene certification, Arogya World notes that nutrition-focused interventions in the informal food sector remain limited.
