Partners: TIP, TNC, IFAD (IPAF-Tebtebba), Directorate of School Education & Literacy, Meghalaya, LIC HFL CSR
Despite Meghalaya’s biodiversity, malnutrition remains a critical concern, with high rates of stunting and underweight children. NESFAS responded by piloting a community-led school meals programme in 2022, which has since expanded to 26 schools reaching 1,500+ students.
Meals now integrate five of FAO’s ten food groups, featuring local produce and wild edibles. Farmers from Agroecology Learning Circles (ALC) supply fresh produce, while local cooks, parents, and teachers co-create diverse menus. In 2024, NESFAS also partnered with the state education department to train 7,159 cooks in nutrition and local sourcing.
This initiative is building local economies, improving children’s diets, and reviving indigenous food traditions. By linking biodiversity to school meals, NESFAS demonstrates how community ownership and indigenous knowledge can address malnutrition, sustain livelihoods, and strengthen cultural identity.