About Food Connect
Reducing food waste. Increasing access. Connecting compassion with logistics.
Founder's Story
The moment that changed everything
The idea for Food Connect began one monsoon evening in Mumbai. Riya was in a car after dinner when she saw the restaurant worker tossing trays of untouched biryani and bread into a garbage bin. Just beyond the window, in the rain, a group of migrant laborers huddled under a plastic sheet, passing around a plate of plain dal and roti.
The contrast, abundance and hunger separated by only a few feet, stayed with her. It wasn't just about waste; it was about a broken system. Later, seeing the same divide in Singapore, she realized the problem wasn't scarcity, but access.
"That night became my turning point, the moment I decided to build Food Connect, to ensure empathy moves as swiftly as innovation."
Riya Kamat
Founder & CEO
About the Founder
Innovation meets inclusion
Riya Kamat is the founder of Food Connect and a junior at Singapore American School who studies how systems function and where they fall short. Fascinated by the intersection of innovation and inclusion, she examines inefficiencies in everyday structures and creates practical, tech-enabled solutions to close those gaps.
Through her research and internships at media-tech platforms like Animeta and Slurrp, she has explored how well-intentioned innovations can unintentionally exclude the very people they aim to serve.
A champion powerlifter and recreational pilot-in-training, Riya approaches every pursuit with the same belief that drives Food Connect: that progress means little unless it brings everyone to the table.
Advisors
Sanmita K.
Advisor, NGO & Community Partnerships
Sanmita K. brings extensive experience working across CSR initiatives, youth-development programs, and NGO collaborations in India. She has partnered with organisations such as CRY and has led multiple community-engagement projects that support education, nutrition, and vulnerable families.
At Food Connect, Sanmita advises on NGO partnerships and community outreach, helping shape programmes that are inclusive, responsible, and grounded in real on-the-ground needs. She guides partner selection, ensures alignment with community priorities, and strengthens Food Connect's ability to deliver consistent and meaningful social impact.
Hitesh Gawankar
Advisor, Technology
Hitesh is the founder of Digital Dreamwork and brings a strong track record in process optimization, creative-tech projects, and building digital systems. He is experienced in applying technology and digital tools to streamline workflows - from storytelling and content generation to system design and execution.
For Food Connect, Hitesh leads technology strategy: helping design and implement platform, data-management, logistics and supply-chain systems - ensuring the project benefits from scalable, efficient and tech-driven operations.
Gaurav Mishra
Advisor, Food Sourcing & Operations
Gaurav Mishra is the owner of Colonial Ventures and operates several F&B brands in Singapore, including Salt & Pepper, Red Chillis, and Elite Eats. He brings hands-on expertise in restaurant operations, food sourcing, kitchen workflows, and large-scale catering management.
At Food Connect, Gaurav advises on supply-chain logistics, vendor selection, and quality control, ensuring that every meal delivered through the programme is safe, consistent, and operationally reliable.
Where We Work
Starting local, scaling responsibly.
Our Impact
Join the Mission
Be part of the solution. Whether you're a restaurant, NGO, or individual volunteer, there's a place for you in our network.