Mumbai: US-based Global Foodbanking Network (GFN) would take the lead in setting up a National Food Bank Network in India, similar to those in 12 other countries as part of its efforts for a "hunger-free world".

The network will involve community and industry leaders, organisations involved in poverty alleviation projects and the central and state governments, GFN''s vice president, development, Bernie Beaudreau, told the media.

GFN, the world''s largest private food assistance agency based in Chicago, had recently sent a delegation to study the successful model of providing food to the needy - `a fistful of grain'' - being run by city-based Chennai Food Bank (CFB).

Through its `muthi bhar anaaj'' (fistful of grains) and `anna dan'' (food donation) under the Chennai Food Bank scheme, the association supplies 8,000 kg of food grains to more than 60 charitable institutions a month.

"GFN would like to study CFB''s programme further and offer assistance for expanding their efforts and replicating the programme nationally", Beaudreau said.

"By first facilitating a national forum for addressing hunger and malnutrition, GFN hopes to provide technical assistance and support for creating a national food bank network that would be run by the forum", said Beaudreau.

This process could be completed over the next three years and be well in place by 2010, he added.