A dimension within Traditional School Nutrition
Integrating wild foods, nutrition gardens, and organic farming to enhance food security and school meal programs.
150 voices speak to this
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AI-synthesised pieces woven from many community voices on this theme. They may contain errors or interpretation — they're a reflection of the stories, not a record of fact.

By cherishing and utilizing the traditional foods and herbs found in our forests and lands, we can sustain ourselves and combat malnutrition while preserving our natural heritage.

Our community advocates for the integration of traditional, locally sourced foods into public programs to nourish children and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

In remote mountain forests, a community navigates daily life, preserving ancient crops and adapting cultural traditions amidst evolving times.

Our tribal community shares how to cultivate vital crops like chickpeas, corn, and lentils, even in dry conditions without relying on irrigation.
In our area, forest produce is not available like in PDS and MDM. It is better to cultivate organic nutrition gardens in every family and school.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
Wild food items found in our area are quite nutritious, but they cannot be included in mid-day meals and PDS shops.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Nutritious wild food items are not found in our area, which we can include in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Verno, Gumla, Jharkhand
In our region, forest food items that are nutritious are not found in such a way, due to which we cannot include them in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
The most nutritious available wild products, wild food items, are not found here and cannot be included in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
We have the most nutritious wild food here, but it is available according to different seasons and cannot be included in PDS and mid-day meals.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Forest produce is not available in our area. Every family should get access to school and the nutrition garden scheme.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
In our area, we don't get edible produce from the forest that is suitable for inclusion in PDS or MDM.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
In our area, unnutritious wild food is not available which can be implemented in the Mid-Day Meal and PDO laws.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Local forest produce like Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, Mahula contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods from the forest should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, we do not include packaged food and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest produce like Kendu, Chaar, Jamukoli, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school midday meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, we do not provide packaged food and market/shop items to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild leafy vegetables and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, you are not including packaged foods and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest produce such as Kendu, Chaar, Jamu Kali, and Mahul contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, we do not include packaged food and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.
— DASHARATH SINGH · Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest produce such as Kendu, Chaar, Jamu fruits, and Mahul contain nutrients essential for children's physical and mental development. Therefore, wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school midday meals to provide more nutrition. You are not including packaged foods and items from markets/shops to offer to guests during festivals and celebrations.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, Mahul contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, you do not include packaged food and food from the market/shop to offer to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest products like Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, and Mahua contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy vegetables and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, you do not include packaged food and items from the market/shops to offer to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest produce such as Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild edible greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, you don't include packaged foods and market/shop items to offer to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Local forest products like Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, you do not include packaged food and items from the market/shop to offer to guests.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
Nutritious forest food items are not found in our area because very few forests are left here.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
We do not get forest produce for PDS or MDM here, but it might be possible according to the time.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
In our area, no such forest produce is found, but due to kitchen gardens provided by the government in every school, children can get fresh vegetables.
— Krishna pada mahato · Purulia, West Bengal
The most nutritious wild food items are not available here because there are very few forests around. And it doesn't seem that all those PDFs and such are here.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
The most nutritious wild food items are not found here. If found, they are available seasonally, like mushrooms.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Locally available wild food products that are nutritious are very scarce in our area because the forests here are on the verge of extinction.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Local forest produce such as Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, Sarala leaves, and Mahul contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, traditional foods like millet porridge should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, do not include packaged food and food from markets/shops to offer to guests.
— DASHARATH SINGH · Jamunkira, Sambalpur, Odisha
In our area, there is no wild food item of any kind that can be included in PDS and Ayushman food.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
Now, not much food is available in the forest, but our community's traditional grains like Kodo Kutki khichdi, dalia, and Tur, Chana, and Masoor dals should be included in the PDS, and our children should also receive these in their midday meals.
— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
The most nutritious wild food item is not found here, and it cannot be included in the regular diet because it is seasonal.
— Sunil oraon · Ranchi, Jharkhand
In our region, forest produce is not found, organic farming should be implemented.
— Krishna pada mahato · Birra, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand
In our forest, mushrooms, ruguda, karadi, and giril flowers are found. These should be served in mid-day meals at PDS schools.
— RINA BEHERA · Sundargarh, Odisha
The roots, herbs, and water chestnuts found in the forest are very vitamin-rich and nutritious foods. It would be good if these were provided in PDS and as midday meals for school children.
— Sushama Digal · Dashapalla, Nayagarh, Odisha
Mahua flowers and other foods obtained from the forest are very nutritious. Therefore, it is appropriate to include these foods in PDS or mid-day meals.
— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha
Children do not eat because nutritious foods eaten locally in our village, such as dal, bhaji, jowar roti, bajra roti, etc., are not provided. The government should make locally consumed nutritious food available.
— Vijay kanesh · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
In our villages, recognized within the tribal community, various types of medicinal herbs and foodstuffs are easily available. However, due to them being in the wild, we are unable to preserve these herbs and foodstuffs for consumption.
— Mohan AHARI · Sarera, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Now, nothing is found even in the hills. But if our traditional food items like Kodo and Kutki (millets) were provided through the PDS, then our children would remain strong.
— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
Name - Sarangadhar Pradhan, Village - Gasaguda, Gram Panchayat - Jiridikia, Block K. Nuagaon, District Kandhamal. In our village, the food items lacking in the forest are Sahada fruit, Kendu fruit, Jamu Koli (Java Plum), Siali fruit, and Siti Kusha Saag (a type of leafy green), which are not available!
— Rajib Pradhan · Phiringia, Kandhamal, Odisha
The local forest foods most crucial for tackling severe malnutrition are Charo, Kendu, and Pitalukanda, which should be promoted by the government by providing them in PDS and midday meals.
— Pankajini Chhatria
The forest contains nutritious foods like Pitalu, Baya, Tunga, Water Yam, Elephant Foot Yam, Bitter Ginari greens, Putukuli, Honey, Amla, Bahada, and Kendu. The government should consider adding some of these to the PDS (Public Distribution System).
— Prasanna Pradhan · Mayurbhanj, Odisha
Forest fruits like Kendu, Char, and Mahul, found in the forest, are rich in nutrition. It would be beneficial to include them in students' midday meals.
— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha
The food being provided in the Chief Minister's Midday Meal should not be unwholesome food. Let traditional forest food be given.
— Sasmita Mallick · G. Udayagiri, Kandhamal, Odisha