Product Development
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, WIN Foundation has been actively engaged in the innovative development of nutritious food products using Prickly Pear pulp. We are pleased to share that two exciting products have now been successfully developed:
Prickly Pear Mathri
Prickly Pear Jeera Cookies
Following product standardization, a hands-on training session was conducted for the preparation of Prickly Pear Mathri at the Chetna Central Kitchen in Vasna. The session witnessed participation from 15–18 local women.
We were honored to have Prof. Bhaskar Datta from IIT Gandhinagar, along with a team member, join the session to motivate the participants and share valuable technical inputs.
Key components of the training included:
Full demonstration of the standardized recipe
Hands-on preparation by the trainees
Sensory evaluation of the final product to collect feedback and enhance quality
Next Step in Innovation: Spinach-Enhanced Sev
In our ongoing effort to improve the nutritional profile of traditional snacks, we initiated trials for Spinach Sev. The objective was to incorporate a higher quantity of spinach using spinach powder instead of puree for better control and shelf stability.
Spinach Powder Preparation Methods:
Direct dehydration of fresh spinach leaves
Dehydration post pureeing the spinach
Both methods produced powders of similar quality. In our trials, 30% spinach powder was mixed with the base flour to prepare the sev.
Observations & Challenges:
During frying, we observed excessive foaming in the oil—an unexpected issue that requires further technical investigation.
Preliminary analysis suggests the following contributing factors:
High concentration of spinach powder (30%)
Excessive oil temperature (>150°C), not optimal for frying leafy greens
Absence of blanching before dehydration, potentially affecting spinach's chemical structure
Next Steps
We will continue refining the formulation by:
Adjusting spinach incorporation ratios
Experimenting with blanching techniques
Controlling frying temperatures more precisely
Our goal is to develop a stable, nutritious, and scalable spinach-based sev product, while sharing the learnings with our partner kitchens and community entrepreneurs.
Innovations / Technology Support
As part of its commitment to sustainable agriculture and nutrition-sensitive interventions, WIN Foundation has extended support to Proximal Soilsens by procuring two soil testing kit sets for use in the CEE Nutrition project areas of Jasdan and Kalawad, Gujarat
This initiative aims to:
Test and analyze soils from 200 to 300 farms across both locations
Generate real-time soil health data using the Soilsens mobile application
Strengthen evidence-based advocacy for improved agricultural and nutrition outcomes
The soil testing kits and app-based data collection will help farmers and implementing partners better understand local soil conditions and promote tailored soil management practices. Ultimately, this initiative supports integrating soil health with family nutrition through improved crop productivity and nutrient density.
Demonstration cum Training Soil Testing Kits
We are excited to share that Instanutrients, a startup supported by WIN Foundation since its early R&D days at CTARA – IIT Bombay, has now entered the production stage. It has developed a micronutrient-rich, 100% natural formulation aimed at addressing hidden hunger and improving everyday nutrition. WIN plans to pilot this innovation in its upcoming School Nutrition Program, by integrating it into daily meals like khichdi and upma. This marks a meaningful step toward scalable, sustainable nutrition solutions for children in rural and underserved communities. We welcome collaboration with schools and organizations interested in adopting this approach.
Programs/courses:
WIN Foundation partners Kutch University and ACT (Arid Communities and Technologies), to offer Fellowship to enable students from outside Gujarat to take up the PGWM course alongwith on ground project work.
The Kutch University - ACT's one year Diploma Course for Participatory Groundwater Management (PGWM) offers students: (i) strong foundations of hydrogeology, (ii) participatory approaches to groundwater management, and (iii) field based experiences integrating social and practical aspects.
The course includes sessions by seasoned experts from academia, research institutions, development organizations and government agencies, from India and abroad. It also incorporates field assignments, fostering real world learning.
This fellowship is aimed (i) to bring students from across India to this path breaking Coure, and (ii) develop a pan India outlook among water conservation communities to develop location specific solutions, across India.
Details for the course and application forms are available at: https://www.kskvku.ac.in/offlinecertificatecourses.php
The National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC) 2025 received 3100 applications from 34 States and UTs of India. Competition will now have various assessment rounds and selected candidates for pre-finals will be called for a 2-day boot camp followed by a Grand Finale in Bangalore. Grand Finale is planned tentatively on August 23, 2025. More details are mentioned under Programs