The Maharashtra government has formed a committee to suggest new menu for midday meals served in schools. For years now, schools have been serving khichdi under the midday meal scheme and the government wants to make the menu nutritious and tasty for children using local foodgrains, including millets. The committee, which will draw up the new menu, consists of nutrition experts and well-known chefs. A Government Resolution (GR) issued earlier this week states that various reports published on the health of children in the past few years have indicated iron deficiency as well as high Body Mass Index (BMI) in school-going children. “The committee which will include experts from health, nutrition and education fields will study ways to enhance quality and nutrition of the food items served under the midday meal scheme,” states the GR, which refers to instructions from the central government too asking states to look at possibilities of including local grains and other items in midday-meals. The 10-member committee is expected to provide suggestions on tasty food recipes with great nutrition value along with determining the quantity of foodgrain required. It will also recommend recipes which will include foodgrains, fruits and vegetables available locally. Vishnu Manohar, one of the committee members and a well-known chef, said, “Khichdi has been the staple diet served under midday meal scheme. Anybody tends to lose interest when they are served the same food repeatedly. I have already started working on creating delicious yet nutritious recipes with an aim to replace the monotony of khichdi so that children are excited about what will be served for midday-meal.”
