(Photos by Bhismadeva Dasa and HoofprintMedia.com)

A recent remodel of the Plaza of the Americas, the leafy main crossroads of the University of Florida (UF) campus, includes a sign reading “Krishna Lunch Lane” to commemorate the prasadam distribution program that has served students there for the past forty-five years. 

The program began after ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada visited Gainesville in 1971 and spoke at the Plaza. Inspired by his words, Gargamuni Das began chanting and serving prasadam – sanctified food – to connect with students. After Gargamuni moved on, Amarendra Das and his wife Gayatri Dasi continued the effort, founding Krishna Lunch in the process.

The Lunch is now a staple at UF. Around a thousand plates are served out every day, five days a week. Students line up from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Plaza, with more plates served out until 3:30pm at the nearby Krishna House. Each day of the week carries its signature dish: kofta balls on Tuesday, Spaghetti with tofu on Wednesday, Gauranga potatoes and chili on Friday. Pleasant live kirtan adds to the experience.

There is no charge: a donation of $5 is requested to cover costs, but organizers say no one will ever go away hungry. On top of that, Krishna Lunch is one of the largest suppliers of cooked meals for Gainesville’s homeless shelters.

In 2013, the campus made the decision to renovate the Plaza of the Americas. The $2.2 million renovation project was mainly funded by a private donation of $1.3 million from donors Herb and Catherine Yardley, while more funds came from the office of UF Chief Operating Officer Charlie Lane. Krishna Lunch wanted to do its part too.

Students line up to receive Krishna Lunch

“We decided this was our chance to reach out to all the thousands of alumni who have eaten Krishna Lunch over the years, and have them give something tangible back to the campus,” says Brahma Tirtha Das, a member of Krishna House’s board of directors.

Brahma launched The Krishna Lunch Forever Campaign, along with other board members, such as Madhava Das, Shyamala Kishori Dasi, and Krishna House president Kalakantha Das. The campaign raised $200,000 for the Plaza renovation from Krishna Lunch alumni, including a professor who had heard Prabhupada speak in 1971. Members of the ISKCON community also contributed.

The contribution won Krishna Lunch naming rights for the Western corridor of the Plaza, where it is served out – thus the new “Krishna Lunch Lane.”

The Krishna Lunch Forever Campaign also helped design the remodel of the Plaza, with members sitting in on meetings with campus designers, architects, and builders.

UF President Ken Fuchs did the honors at the official ribbon-cutting for the renovation on November 17^летн�