Food for Freedom' turns a big hit in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The new takeaway counter of Food for Freedom, an initiative by Kerala Government Department of Prison and Correctional Service, opened at the Thampanoor Bus Terminal, is drawing customers in hordes. The quality of food and hygiene at the jail department outlet has brought pressure on private food in the vicinity to scale up their facilities as well. The counter has been able to attract good number of customers during the first ten days of its operations.

Commuters have often complained about the unhygienic surroundings and poor quality of food available in many eateries in the vicinity of the interstate bus terminus. The jail department outlet brings a different experience all together. S. Santhosh, the former central jail superintendent says the main aim of the initiative is to make the jail products available to public at reasonable price. "We are targeting the low-income section of the society," he said and added that the minimum target was Rs 35000 per month.

Martin Mathew, a KSRTC driver says that the food is delicious and of high quality. The food items which are sold here are cheap compared to the prices in hotels in the area. Mineral water bottle is sold at Rs10 here which is half the price charged in open market. Chapathi is priced at Rs 2 a piece, chapathi chicken curry Rs 30, chapathi veg curry Rs 20, chapathi egg curry Rs 22, idly sambar Rs  20, chicken biryani and beef biriyani Rs 60.

Kappa fish curry, tea and coffee and ice cream all items are available here. The counter offers the commuters good food at a low price. Even though the jail department has set up mobile counters in various places in city including Museum, medical college and East Fort, the one here is the first take away counter outside the central  jail premises.