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To improve the school feeding programme in India
The Nutri Pathshala, launched as part of HarvestPlus and Happel Foundation’s HaNSA initiative, aims to improve the school feeding programme in India. The goal is to combat micronutrient deficiency among school-age children by providing safe and nutritious food through the use of biofortified grains like Iron Pearl Millet and Zinc Wheat. The programme’s first Nutri Pathshala was inaugurated on February 21, 2023, in Pune, with the aim of reaching 2 million children.
The initiative has received impressive support, with Chef Natasha Gandhi of Master Chef fame inaugurating the first Nutrition School along with Arun Baral, CEO of HarvestPlus. The programme is expected to bring positive change to the school feeding programme in India, with the ultimate aim of making India healthier.
The HaNSA (Health and Nutrition for School Age Children) initiative responds to the Government of India’s nutrition strategy, emphasising the need for food-based solutions to address nutrition insecurity.
Despite having one of the largest mid-day meal programmes, over 40% of children in India still suffer from malnutrition. Ravinder Grover, Regional Coordinator- Asia, HarvestPlus, stated, “We are trying to make a positive impact through our initiative. Nutri Pathshala aims to give children equal access to nutritious food and education for a brighter and healthier future.”
The programme aims to combat malnutrition among children in India by complementing the Government of India’s Mid-day Meal programme with iron-rich millets and nutrition education for children in schools.