Bhubaneswar: A group of youngsters have come up with a novel way to combat food wastage that has become a big issue in the state.

The Bhubaneswar Knights Round Table and the Bhubaneswar Queens Ladies Circle have jointly installed a community refrigerator in front of a restaurant at Sainik School Square for the hungry.

The initiative - Annapurna - aims to eliminate food wastage. "Households and eateries dump excess food every day, because we don't know what to do with it. The community fridge will help serve the needy," said Queens Ladies Circle chairperson Anuradha Vishesh Agrawal.

Local residents can also send their surplus food after special events, such as birthdays. Restaurants can also donate unsold food instead of throwing it away, she said.

Food will be served to the needy people after quality tests by a restaurant. "Volunteers will identify the needy and ensure that the food reaches them. A restaurant nearby will look after the project's daily affairs," said Knights Round Table chairman Gaurav Chawla.

The groups will also maintain a record of contributors for additional food during periods of shortage. "People can also donate money to help partner members keep food in the fridge," he said.

There is also provision for donations in memory of family or friends.

There are plans to install four more fridges at Patia, Saheed Nagar, Old Town and the railway station.