Industry associations are gearing up to support food startups and cloud kitchen ventures in Uttar Pradesh after the state government identified 208 traditional dishes under its flagship One District, One Cuisine (ODOC) initiative.
The move is expected to create significant opportunities in food processing, packaging, branding, and exports by capitalizing on Uttar Pradesh’s strong agricultural and horticultural base, along with the state’s investor-friendly policies.
Dinesh Goyal, National President of the Indian Industries Association (IIA), stated that Uttar Pradesh is steadily emerging as a major destination for the food processing industry. He emphasized that the MSME sector holds immense potential, especially in food packaging, online commerce, branding, and export-oriented businesses.
According to Goyal, the IIA plans to actively mentor and support innovative startups focused on regional cuisine while also encouraging the rapid growth of cloud kitchens. These delivery-only food businesses operate exclusively through online orders without maintaining dine-in facilities.
As part of the ODOC initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government is reportedly considering attractive subsidies for establishing food processing units. Additional support in packaging, marketing, and brand development is also under discussion.
The IIA is also preparing to organize the 11th edition of India Food Expo 2026 (IFX-26) in Lucknow from September 18 to 20. Deepak Kumar Bajaj, General Secretary of the IIA, said the event is expected to attract participants from over 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, in addition to domestic companies.
Bajaj noted that despite being one of India’s largest producers of food products, Uttar Pradesh has struggled to gain strong national and international visibility due to limited branding and packaging capabilities. He said the upcoming expo would provide MSMEs, particularly those in food processing, with a valuable platform to expand their market reach.
He further highlighted that agriculture, allied industries, and food processing will be vital in supporting Uttar Pradesh’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The expo will feature discussions and technologies related to food safety, energy-efficient equipment, and advanced supply chain systems for religious offerings such as prasad.
Vineet Pandey, Assistant Commissioner (Food) at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), assured entrepreneurs of support in food testing, regulatory compliance, and safety standards.
The IIA estimates that IFX-26 could facilitate business agreements worth nearly ₹700 crore, helping MSMEs connect with both domestic and international buyers.
To further strengthen links between farmers and markets, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to establish around 75,000 new food processing units across the state. Increased processing of fruits, vegetables, and high-value crops is expected to improve farmers’ access to export markets and global food supply chains.