Akhil Akella, a Year 9 student at Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby, has developed 'Windfall', an initiative designed to rescue unwanted fruit and prevent it from going to waste. The project combines technology with community engagement.
The idea for Windfall originated during a road trip when Akhil observed apples rotting on pavements. This observation spurred him to action, leading him to collect his first 100kg of apples by hand and deliver them to local stables. This experience inspired the development of the Windfall app.
Launched in summer 2026, the Windfall app features an interactive map where users can pinpoint fruit trees, share details about available fruit, and log collection quantities. It also incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to help assess fruit quality from photographs. Akhil, working with a small team, has already facilitated the rescue of over 2,500kg of fruit.
The rescued fruit is being utilised in various ways, including donations to food banks and community kitchens, provision as animal feed, and processing into products like jams and juices. This initiative highlights how a simple idea, supported by technology and community effort, can yield substantial results.
Akhil recently presented his Windfall app at the launch of Warwickshire Food Together 2026–2028, an event held at the Old Shire Hall in Warwick on 28 September. The forum brought together council representatives, food champions, food banks, and community organisations to discuss strengthening Warwickshire's local food system.
Following the presentation, Warwickshire County Council and its partners agreed to promote the app more widely, supporting Akhil's ambition to involve schools and communities nationwide. Akhil stated, "My plan now is to grow Windfall from a Warwickshire initiative into a national movement. I'm keen to share the project with schools across the country and encourage students to get involved."
Akhil's interest in technology began at age eight, learning to code during the COVID-19 lockdown. He has since obtained professional certifications in AI, cloud computing, and app development. His work on Windfall gained national attention at the AI Summit London in June 2026, where he presented his white paper on community technology's environmental benefits to the UK AI Minister.
Warwickshire County Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, Education and SEND, praised Akhil as "a fantastic example of the creativity, ambition and determination of young people in Warwickshire." He added that the council aims to support young people through the Warwickshire Youth Council to share their ideas and make a difference.
Warwickshire County Councillor Mike Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Internal Affairs, commented, "It's wonderful to see Akhil putting his passion for technology into practice and using it to help others." He highlighted the council's support for promoting the app further, aligning with ambitions to optimise technology for community benefits.
Akhil shared his key lesson for other young people: "You don't have to know everything before you develop new ideas. Look at the real problems around you, learn the skills you need a little bit at a time and don't be afraid to ask for help." He noted that Windfall began with one person and one idea, leading to the rescue of over 2,500kg of fruit.
Individuals can join the Windfall initiative by visiting...
