By H.H. Mohrmen
On April 12, 2025, The Shillong Times published a revealing expose that brought to light major loopholes in the implementation of the PM Poshan midday meal scheme in Meghalaya. Using the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the report exposed how government-supplied meals in many schools across the state fall short of providing the nutrition children need to grow and thrive. The expose confirmed what communities in rural areas have long known — that the current system is inadequate and requires urgent reform. It may be mentioned that the report also mentioned the prescribed meal menu curated by the North East Society For Agro-ecology Services (NESFAS) which was in fact the outcome of a project the organization took to improve the food served to the students of the state.
Against this backdrop, has emerged as a vital partner in helping the state improve the delivery and quality of school meals. But NESFAS’s work is not simply an act of support — it is the result of several years of hands-on experience, grassroots learning, and pilot testing in some of the state’s most under-served rural schools.
Why NESFAS stepped in
Malnutrition remains a pressing issue in India, and although many nutrition studies focus on children under five, school-aged children are often overlooked despite their equally vulnerable condition. In rural areas, access to a balanced diet is especially limited. Recognizing this, NESFAS initiated a community-led school meals program to address not only malnutrition but also to create a more sustainable and inclusive model of midday meal delivery. The aim was to involve communities directly in planning, cooking, and sourcing food for their children.
What NESFAS found on the ground
Before NESFAS’s intervention, the midday meals in rural schools of Meghalaya were sporadic and nutritionally poor. Meals typically consisted of rice, lentil/dal, and potatoes — repeated monotonously with very little variation. Due to budget constraints, firewood and vegetables were hard to procure, and food was served only two to three times a week. The conversion cost allotted by the government—Rs 5.45 per child in lower primary and Rs 6.18 in upper primary—was insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of growing children.
The inadequate food quality and irregular supply meant that the midday meal program was not living up to its promise of supporting better health and education outcomes for children.
The NESFAS pilot: Where it all began
On June 26, 2022, NESFAS began piloting its community-led school meal program in 11 schools across 7 villages, with support from The Indigenous Partnership (TIP), Rome, Italy. These schools included Laitsohpliah RCLPUP School with 58 students, Subakalai SSA School – 38 students, Dewlieh Government LP School – 41 students, Nongtraw Government LP School – 20 students, Mawmihthied Government LP School – 42 students, and in Garo hills Daribokgre SSA School with 25 students, Darechikgre Government LP School – 25 students and Darechikgre Adhoc UP School – 15 students.
In each school, NESFAS worked with communities, teachers, and cooks to transform the way meals were planned, cooked, and served. Meals were redesigned to include five of the ten essential food groups outlined by the FAO, including staples, pulses, vegetables, dairy, and wild edibles. Examples included rice served with omelet and ja-ud (a local dish), pumpkin stew, and wild edible salads made from plants like jali, along with tomatoes and lemon.
Expanding the reach
The success of the pilot received international recognition. NESFAS was invited to present its model in Rome, and this exposure impressed the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF-IFAD), which funded the expansion to five more schools. These additional schools included Plasha Presbyterian LP School, Umwang Nongbah RCLP School, Mawstep Presbyterian LP School, St. Anthony’s RCLP School and Laitlyndop RCLP SSA LP/UP School. In total, 221 parents and community members actively participated by contributing vegetables, helping in school gardens, and assisting with cooking.
Community involvement at its core
What makes NESFAS’s intervention stand out is its deep integration with the community. Local procurement committees, composed of Agro-ecology Learning Circle (ALC) members and farmers, were formed to supply vegetables and wild edibles. These groups ensured that all ingredients were sourced locally and were seasonally appropriate.
The Dorbar Shnong (village council) played a central role in mobilizing the community and overseeing the implementation. Teachers and cooks received training on nutrition using the FAO’s food group guidelines. NESFAS also supported the project by contributing Rs 10 per child and an additional Rs 2000 for each cook. Moreover, kitchen tools, seeds for school gardens, and utensils were provided.
Training and Government Support
The success of the training sessions conducted by NESFAS led the Directorate of School Education and Literacy to formally recognize the initiative. They subsequently requested NESFAS to help train over 7,159 cooks across Meghalaya on nutrition and local food systems.
NESFAS conducted health assessments, organized cooking competitions, and ensured that both cooks and teachers were actively involved in planning menus and preparing meals.
Nutrition on the plate
Unlike neighbouring schools where students still receive basic meals of rice and dal (sometimes supplemented with soya or potato), the pilot schools now serve meals that are balanced, diverse, and rich in both nutrients and flavour. Wild edibles have become a staple component of the school menu. Importantly, meals are now served regularly throughout the week.
The contrast between the NESFAS-supported schools and others is stark. Children in the pilot schools enjoy colourful, tasty, and healthy meals that contribute to better physical and cognitive development.
Building local economies through food
Beyond improving student nutrition, the community-led school meal model has strengthened local village economies. A local procurement model ensures that food ingredients — especially vegetables — are sourced from farmers within the same village. This eliminates transport costs and ensures freshness. Farmers, many of whom are parents of the students, are assured of a steady market and regular income.
The circular economy created by this model means that money stays within the village and is reinvested in education. It also makes communities more resilient by reducing dependence on external markets and increasing food sovereignty.
Infrastructure and capacity building
The schools involved in the pilot program were not selected randomly. NESFAS specifically chose schools it had already worked with and where trust had been established. These schools already had some infrastructure in place — such as kitchens and gardens — and NESFAS worked with them to improve facilities, build capacity, and conserve agro-ecological practices.
Each school held multiple consultations with NESFAS before the implementation phase. Initial meetings were held in Shillong, followed by extensive discussions in the villages with teachers, parents, and community leaders.
Lasting Impact
Today, the school meal program in NESFAS-supported schools is a model of what midday meals can be — nourishing, community-led, and sustainable. The involvement of farmers, parents, teachers, and village authorities ensures long-term ownership and sustainability.
Importantly, the model is scalable. With assured government funds for the PM Poshan scheme, this locally driven approach can be replicated in other schools and districts. It also aligns with broader goals of biodiversity conservation, nutrition security, and economic self-reliance.
The recent expose in The Shillong Times has served as a wake-up call, but it also points toward the possibility of meaningful reform. NESFAS has shown that change is possible — when communities are empowered, children are prioritized, and systems are built on trust and cooperation.
Conclusion: In a region where systemic failures in the midday meal program have long gone unaddressed, NESFAS has lit a path forward. Its community-led school meals model provides not just food but also dignity, empowerment, and resilience to rural communities in Meghalaya.
By demonstrating that it is possible to serve healthy, diverse, and locally sourced meals through a model that uplifts the community, NESFAS has made a strong case for reimagining public food programs — not just in Meghalaya, but across India.