Strengthening Global Partnerships for Child Nutrition: Ajinomoto Foundation Visit to Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust
It was a privilege to host representatives from The Ajinomoto Foundation (Japan), along with partners from Edelman and Food Future Foundation, at the headquarters of the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust at Sathya Sai Grama on 19th February 2026.
The Ajinomoto Foundation, established by Ajinomoto Co., Inc., plays a significant role globally in advancing nutritional well-being through its philosophy of “Eat Well, Live Well.” With a legacy that traces back to the discovery of Kikunae Ikeda and the commercialization of umami seasoning AJI-NO-MOTO in 1909, Ajinomoto has been contributing to food culture, human health, and sustainable nutrition solutions across the world.
During the interaction, the delegation was introduced to SaiSure Multi Nutrient Health Mix, Annapoorna Trust’s flagship nutrition intervention designed to address hidden hunger among school-going children. Fortified with essential micronutrients, SaiSure plays a crucial role in supporting the physical growth, cognitive development, and overall immunity of children, ensuring they receive vital nutrition during their formative years. By complementing regular school meals, SaiSure has emerged as a transformational solution in bridging nutritional gaps and improving learning outcomes for children across communities.
The discussions focused on potential avenues of collaboration to improve the nutrient quotient of children globally, especially in addressing hidden hunger among underserved communities.
Koko Plus — Nutritional Powder Supplement implemented in Ghana by the Ajinomoto Foundation. Koko Plus is a 15-gram powdered nutrition sprinkle made mainly from soy and micronutrients, added to traditional koko (porridge) to improve child nutrition and prevent malnutrition.
With Ajinomoto Group’s strong presence across Asia and Africa, there was meaningful dialogue on how strategic partnerships can help scale nutrition programs and support school children in regions where micronutrient deficiencies remain a major challenge.
The visiting team also toured the campus, including the SaiSure Nutrition Facility, where they were introduced to Annapoorna’s holistic approach towards addressing both hunger and hidden hunger among school-going children across India.
We look forward to exploring impactful collaborations that can help eradicate hunger and hidden hunger, ensuring that every child receives the nutrition necessary to learn, grow, and thrive.
Ajinomoto Group Representatives:
Mr. Shigeto Obata – Manager, Global Communications Department, Ajinomoto
Ms. Yo Nishiyama – Manager, Ajinomoto
Ms. Ana San Gabriel – Associate General Manager, Global Communications Department, Ajinomoto
Mr. Kei Yoshimura – Manager, Ajinomoto
Mr. Miroslav Smriga – Executive Officer, Ajinomoto
Mr. Keigi Chin – Manager, Quality Assurance, Ajinomoto
Representatives from Food Future & Edelman:
Ms. Amy Naoko Morita – EVP, Global Client Leader, Edelman
Mr. Vipul Sharma – Senior Vice President, Edelman
Mr. Aklanta Kalikata – Senior Vice President, Edelman
Mr. Pawan Agarwal – CEO, Food Future Foundation
Representing Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust:
Ashish Bhardwaj – Trustee & CDO
Kiran B P – Regional Manager – Operations (Karnataka)
Venkateshwara Rao Bandaru – Manager, CSR
Chetana T J – Manager, CSR Data Management
Vishnu M U – Senior Executive, CSR
Together, partnerships like these bring us closer to the vision of a nutrition-secure world for every child.
