New Delhi: The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), one of India’s leading platforms for women entrepreneurs, hosted an inspiring panel discussion titled “The Women Behind What India Eats” at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi, as part of its Agriculture, Agri-Business and Food Processing Industry Initiative.
The event celebrated the achievements of pioneering women entrepreneurs who are transforming India’s food industry through innovation, resilience and purpose-driven leadership. The discussion showcased the growing influence of women across the food ecosystem, including food processing, nutrition, hospitality, retail and food technology.
Welcoming the gathering, Pooja Garg, the 43rd National President of FICCI FLO, highlighted the pivotal role women play in shaping India’s evolving food landscape. She described women as the silent architects of India’s food ecosystem, the custodians of traditional recipes and the torchbearers of the country’s rich culinary heritage. She emphasized that women entrepreneurs are redefining the sector by promoting innovation, quality and sustainability.
The session was conceptualized by Meenal Jain, Initiative Lead, along with Radhika Gupta, Co-Lead. The distinguished panel featured Padma Shri Rajni Bector, Founder of Mrs. Bector’s Food Specialities Ltd. and the Cremica Group; Aditi Handa, Co-Founder and Head Chef of The Baker’s Dozen; and Pooja Singhal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Coriander. The discussion was expertly moderated by Smita Mishra.
The panellists shared their entrepreneurial journeys, reflecting on the inspiration behind launching their ventures, the challenges of building successful brands and the strategies that enabled them to create scalable and sustainable businesses. They also discussed emerging trends in the food industry, including technological innovation, sustainability, health and wellness, and the evolving preferences of Indian consumers.
A major highlight of the event was the FLO National Waste to Wealth Drive, organised under the FLO GreenTech and Sustainability Initiative. A dedicated collection centre encouraged members to responsibly dispose of e-waste, including unused mobile phones, laptops, chargers, cables, earphones and expired medicines. The initiative reinforced FLO’s commitment to responsible recycling and the principles of a circular economy.
The programme forms part of FICCI FLO’s ongoing efforts to empower women agri-entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises through mentorship, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing initiatives. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the organisation aims to build a more inclusive, sustainable and future-ready food ecosystem for India.
