The committee, comprising chefs and nutritionists, has suggested ways to improve the hot, cooked meals served to children of pre-schools up to class 8. Over 1.12 crore students are enrolled for the scheme. In Mumbai, there are over 7.50 lakh student beneficiaries who get ‘khichdi’ — a combination of rice and pulses — for lunch.
With 2023 being observed as the International Year of Millets, schools have already been advised to create awareness about various foodgrains. Between August 1 and 14, schools have been directed to teach students about pearl millets (bajra), sorghum millet (jowar) and finger millet (ragi), among other grains. A competition on millets is also being organised in September and October
Among the recommendations include use of sunflower oil instead of soybean oil. The committee has studied the nutrition value of the food items that will make it to students’ plates. Incorporating locally grown vegetables and fruits in the meals has also been recommended.
In 2021, the state had included millet-rich nutrition bars in food packets given to students during the Covid-19 lockdown. The bars, though a hit with students, were discontinued within a few months.
Cooked meals were discontinued post-March 2020 lockdown, and students were receiving only foodgrains.
A final decision on bringing in a new midday meal menu is yet to be taken by the state. Schools have been complaining about delays in receiving supplies since the academic year began in June.
Launched as a centrally sponsored scheme in 1995, midday meal scheme was first introduced in tribal districts of Maharashtra and covered primary students in civic and government schools. From 2008, students up to class 8 were being covered across the state.
