The city-based NGO, No Food Waste, has joined hands with Delhi-based Share and Care to launch what they call ‘the food and beverage Automated Teller Machine (ATM)’ in Coimbatore. As the name suggests, the machine will provide health snacks and beverages. The founders of this concept share with Covai Post that only those who cannot afford to buy food will have access to this ATM.

The proposed food and beverage ATM is a refrigerator. Donors who wish to contribute will be allowed to place edible foods and beverages in the refrigerator. Those who wish to consume healthy snacks but cannot afford to buy them, will be allowed to visit the premises where the refrigerator is placed, and help themselves.

The founders of this concept have plans of placing these ATMs at eateries and food joints in the city. On a trial basis, the food and beverage ATM will be installed in an eatery in RS Puram soon. Subsequently, it will be launched in other areas of Coimbatore too.

“We have carried out a survey and have identified people who are ready to use the food and beverage ATM in various pockets in Coimbatore. On the one hand, the identity of the donor will not be revealed. And on the other hand, those who wish to consume healthy snacks and beverages and who cannot afford to pay for them, will be allowed to take advantage of the food and beverage ATM. This will be a silent yet powerful concept which, we are hoping, will do well in our city,” Padmanaban Gopalan, Founder of No Food Waste, says.