Date:31/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/31/stories/2007083155280800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Mid-day meal scheme: focus on intake of vegetables, fruits

Lack of awareness attributed to low intake among students

Health issues: Mahtab S. Bamji, former Director, National Institute of Nutrition, at a mid-day meal centre at Mantur village in Medak district.

HYDERABAD: Lack of awareness and access are two important reasons for low intake of vegetable and fruits among schoolchildren in six villages of Medak district.

This has been revealed in a study conducted by a city-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Dangoria Charitable Trust. The trust is headed by Mahtab S. Bamji, a former director of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), which is involved in promotion of vegetables through a school mid-day meal programme in Avancha, Mantur, Tunki, Mutrajpally, Chinnagotumokkala and Thimmapur villages.

These are located in Narsapur, Kawadpally and Shivvampet mandals.

Supply line

As a solution, activists of Dangoria Charitable Trust have established a supply line for vegetables and started a school garden by promoting green method, Dr. Bambji told The Hindu.

She said the activists were adopting the strategy of creating awareness among teachers, cooks and children regarding balanced diet and importance of vegetables.

The activists are also trying to improve the access (supply of vegetables and fruits) through local and school gardens.

They have started growing green vegetables in a shade net at Mantur, a school garden at Mutrajpally.

The trust, which is implementing the programme in six schools, has already held meetings with local communities.