SRISTI has organized 18 competitions amongst 786 rural participants yielding a total of 1880 traditional recipes of food. In addition another 285 competitions were organized during 45 Shodhyatras which yielded another 3150 recipes. The recipe competitions are organised for the women in the villages. The persons who cook the most nutritious variety from the local ingredients are encouraged with prizes and certificates.
The whole objective is to make the people aware about the unique nutritional value of indigenous crops and their importance in maintaining ecological diversity. The aim is also to equip families with the desire to eat more healthy food and with the knowledge of how to achieve it. The competitions are helpful in breaking down barriers for people who think they cannot afford to eat healthily and changing perceptions about what it takes to cook a healthy meal and access healthy food.
Year |
Edition |
Number of Competitors |
Number of Recipes |
| 2004 | 1 | 30 | 70 |
| 2004 | 2 | 50 | 110 |
| 2005 | 3 | 40 | 85 |
| 2006 | 4 | 48 | 105 |
| 2007 | 5 | 62 | 115 |
| 2008 | 6 | 62 | 140 |
| 2009 | 7 | 42 | 110 |
| 2010 | 8 | 35 | 71 |
| 2011 | 9 | 30 | 70 |
| 2012 | 10 | 55 | 118 |
| 2013 | 11 | 67 | 137 |
| 2014 | 12 | 50 | 122 |
| 2016 (January) | 13 | 38 | 102 |
| 2016 (December) | 14 | 62 | 187 |
| 2017 | 15 | 36 | 96 |
| 2018 | 16 | 44 | 95 |
| 2019 | 17 | 35 | 94 |
| 2020 | 18 | 19 | 53 |
| Total | – | 805 | 1880 |