The food processing industryin India is increasingly seen as a potential source for driving the rural economy as it brings about the synergy between the consumer, industry and the farmer. A well developed food processing industry can increase farm gate prices, reduce wastage, ensure value addition, promote crop diversification and increase export earnings. However, the food processing activity is still at a semi nascent stage in India with low penetration despite the advent of technology.

Chennai-based Swadhika Foods recognized an opportunity to breach this gap. The team understood the need of reaching out to the farmer directly by eradicating the middleman, bridging the gap between production and delivery and most importantly providing the end-user with clean and fresh vegetables and fruit through the right application of technology and resources. Challenges were vast and made more difficult with scarcity of obvious solutions and strategies. In the beginning, the source of the product had to be identified and established, not just for quality but also for ready and consistent availability and in the required quantities for regular procurement. It was also important to set up processing units as close to the source as possible to make it brief and to preserve the freshness of the product. Devising solutions were easier said than done; however, with the courage of conviction, team Swadhika Foods took a bold step forward and hit pay dirt immediately. Within a month of its inception, they managed to acquire their first order. Since then, there has been no looking back.

Jumpstarting the Journey
Beginning with the selection of the right technology and machinery, Swadhika Foods identified the best areas for procurement of the various fruits and vegetables, that too in commercially viable quantities. It was of prime importance to process the products within 24 hours of procurement to avoid losing the nutrient value. With the help of IQF machine, blast freezers, cold storages, hot air dehydration machines, urshel dicer for perfect sizing, vacuum freeze drier and a state-of-art laboratory to test for possible contamination by chemicals and pests, it churned out the best in quality and freshness. “All the products are 100 percent natural, devoid of any form of preservatives or additives. Also, the products conform to the highest international standards,” says Swarnamugi R Karthik, Managing Director, Swadhika Foods.

While in India, the perception of frozen fruits & vegetables both among the vendors in the market and among consumers is negative, foreign markets have long been exposed to frozen foods and it has become quite a norm to shop for them at the local super market. This apart, many companies are importing fruits and vegetables that are common in India but exotic to them. This throws up tremendous potential, with not too many players occupying the space in a regular and

organized manner. Swadhika has moved into this space and has begun creating a name for its prompt delivery and consistent product quality.

A leading supplier and exporter of premium quality frozen IQF fruits & vegetables and frozen ready to eat/cook foods, swadhika foods symbolizes product innovation, quality, freshness and commitment to excellence

Within the third year of its inception, Swadhika Foods is buoyed by the success of the initial venture. While strengthening backward integration to its source, the company is also working forward into value-added products. “There is immense potential in the packaged snack market which is currently fed mainly by fried snacks. Off late, there is an increasing realization of the value of health and fitness and the part that fruits and vegetables play in promoting well-being. In the absence of healthy and easy-to-eat, hygienically packed freeze-dried fruits, we are seeking a presence on the shelves of the Indian supermarket apart from tapping similar potential in overseas markets, especially in countries like Australia,”adds Karthik, co-founder of Swadhika and a passionate environmentalist.

The Growth over Years
A leading supplier and exporter of premium quality frozen IQF fruits & vegetables and frozen ready to eat/cook foods, Swadhika Foods symbolizes product innovation, quality, freshness and commitment to excellence. It maintains an uncompromising attitude in quality at every stage, right from the initial process of procurement, through the various phases of processing and the final packaging and delivery. “To maintain the premium quality of our products and to ensure identification and traceability, we employ strict quality checks at critical points right from sourcing at farm level till the delivery of finished products,” asserts Swarnamugi.

Swadhika Foods is accredited to APEDA, USFDA, FSSAI, ISO, BRC and HACCP to ensure reliability and meet international food safety standards. Tests for agrochemical residue, heavy metal and pesticides are conducted under NABL accredited labs. The company is headedby a team of highly motivated and enthusiastic peoplewith more than a decade of industry experience and has the expertise to select the most premium fresh produce. They also have the network with the best partners to ensure reliable source, produce and product. Over the years, the company has registered steady growth. Investment in time, personnel and machinery have paid rich dividends and the turnover has tripled in the second year itself; current projections forecast a further tripling as early as in the third year of operations.

In its endeavour to move ahead in its quest for excellence, Swadhika Foods soon intends to launch an app, slated for release at ANUGA Fair in Cologne. This app will facilitate clients in tracking their orders from the farm to the factory, establishing transparency and reliability and change the image of India and its vendors in the eyes of the world. “At Swadhika Foods, we are focused to build a relationship with clients based on trust and believe in devising a customer-centric solution by understanding customer’s needs and supplying the right product at the right price. As we keep growing, we aspire to explore new geographies and devise new products for the global market,” she concludes.

Why Choose Swadhika!
•Exacting quality practices and hygiene controls in all areas of processing right from receipt to packing and distribution.
•Customized packing delivered according to international standards.
•Modern r&d facilities.
•Strong sourcing network across india to ensure freshness of produce.
•No synthetic additives or preservatives.
•Tracking system for traceability.