What ₹40 actually buys: the cost sheet of one meal

We quote ₹40 a meal. A number that round usually means somebody rounded. Here is the whole sheet, so you can check.

Groceries — ₹23.40

Grains, pulses, seasonal vegetables, oil and spices. We buy vegetables weekly and grain monthly from the wholesale market, which saves roughly a seventh against retail. It is also the line that moves most: tomato at ₹120 a kilo adds about ₹1.50 to every plate.

Cooking gas — ₹4.60

The kitchen is lit before dawn, every day of the year. This line includes cylinders, kitchen rent apportioned per meal, water and equipment depreciation.

Packaging — ₹6.20

Clean, sealed, food-safe containers. We were asked more than once why we don't use something cheaper. Because a meal handed over in a leaking bag is charity, and a meal handed over in a sealed container is food. The extra rupees buy the difference between those two things.

Distribution — ₹4.30

Fuel, vehicle maintenance and the wages of the people who load, carry and serve. Getting food to the gate while it is still hot is not a rounding error; it is the entire promise.

Supervision and overhead — ₹1.50

Route supervision, food safety checks and our audited administrative share.

Total: ₹40.00.

The honest caveat

That number moves with the market. When the sheet changes by more than 10% for a full quarter, we republish it rather than quietly absorbing the difference by shrinking the portion.

If you would like to see it for yourself, come to the kitchen before 6 a.m. You do not need to tell us you are coming.