Foodam: Building Bharat’s Food Delivery Backbone

When the COVID-19 lockdown paralysed supply chains in India, one WhatsApp chat at a time, a quiet food revolution began in Bihar. Pratayay Amrit, who grew up witnessing everyday delivery struggles in Tier 3 and 4 cities, launched Foodam—initially taking orders manually through messaging apps. That grassroots effort has since evolved into Foodam Food India Pvt. Ltd., a regional food-tech startup redefining doorstep delivery in underserved cities.

Local Roots, Big Vision

Foodam, a fusion of "Food" and "Dham" (symbolising trust), was officially launched in 2021 with a clear mission: to deliver groceries, fresh meat, and produce to households in smaller towns with reliability and quality. More than a delivery platform, Foodam is a regional ecosystem builder—connecting local vendors, farmers, and consumers through a single, tech-driven solution.

Today, the company’s services extend beyond essentials. With Pan India delivery of GI-tagged fruits like Muzaffarpur’s Shahi Litchi and Mangoes, and the upcoming student-focused subscription service, "Meal Mate," Foodam is solidifying its place in India’s food commerce future.

The Foodam Model: Inclusive, Efficient, Trusted

The company operates on B2C, B2B, and aggregator models:

• Revenue from product sales and vendor commissions
• Cloud mart architecture supporting multiple vendors
• Logistics support for regional product shipments
• Subscription-based meal delivery for students

Its platform hosts a curated mix of daily essentials and local delicacies, while ERP-backed operations ensure transparency and efficiency for all stakeholders.

Empowering Bharat’s Backbone

Behind Foodam’s impact is a small but mission-driven team that handles field logistics, tech support, and customer care. The startup prioritises hyperlocal hiring and collaborates with SHGs, youth, and women vendors. It has shipped regional produce across India and trained its focus on bridging the service gap in cities that large delivery players often overlook.

Institutionally, Foodam received a boost in 2023 through seed funding from the Bihar Startup Fund. This financial backing helped it scale operations to three cities, launch a dedicated app and website, and begin ERP development for its student meal service.

From Lockdown Lessons to Market Traction

With over Rs 1 crore in revenue and a growing customer base, Foodam has demonstrated that big change can begin with simple steps. Through WhatsApp marketing, student networks, and seasonal campaigns, it continues to acquire and retain customers in cities where digital convenience is still catching up.

The startup’s innovation lies in listening closely to what the market lacks—hygienic, affordable, and reliable delivery—and building backwards from that need. The upcoming launch of Meal Mate is one such response, offering meal packs designed for students seeking clean, budget-friendly food.

“Start local, think global,” Pratayay advises. “Even a WhatsApp business can become a national solution if it solves a real problem. Bharat needs more builders who stay with the mission, not just the moment.”

Scaling Real Solutions

Despite the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and investor interest in Bihar, Foodam is actively charting a path to scale by expanding into 10 more cities, initiating exports of Bihar’s renowned food products, and establishing Digital Cloud Marts to bring real-time transparency to the supply chain.

Maintaining quality while scaling remains a key priority—a delicate but vital balance in India’s fragmented food commerce landscape.

What sets Foodam apart from national quick-commerce players is its sharp regional focus, deep-rooted partnerships with local vendors and farmers, and its ability to deliver niche, GI-tagged products across the country. Its success is rooted in community-driven logistics and a steadfast commitment to serving Bharat’s overlooked cities.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Foodam plans to launch its Meal Mate service in Patna, providing affordable and hygienic meal subscriptions tailored for students. The company is also preparing for expansion into 10+ additional cities across India, scaling its logistics for Pan India sales of Shahi Litchi, Mangoes, and other regional specialities. Plans are underway to begin exporting iconic Bihari food products abroad and to establish Digital Cloud Marts for seamless, real-time supply chain integration.