MCD schools to add oat cookies, sambar rice

New Delhi - Oats cookies, fruit, kheer, and sambar rice are set to join the mid-day meals for children in MCD schools, according to officials. The civic body plans to introduce a more diverse menu across its nearly 1,500 schools starting November. The new agencies running the school kitchens have been instructed to add a unique item to the daily meal to make nutritious food more appealing to children.

Oatcakes and cookies are among the possibilities being considered, alongside fruit and kheer. A senior MCD official explained that children tend to get bored with the same meals, so presenting ingredients in new and enjoyable ways is crucial. The revised menu will continue current offerings like puri-aloo, dal-rice, and chole-rice, while also incorporating more variety in preparations such as wheat and ragi halwa served twice a week.

The changes are part of the preparation for handing over school kitchens to new agencies, with 13 vendors expected to take over by next week. The menu adjustments are being planned locally across different zones, ensuring dishes like puri-sabzi, dal-chawal, chole-chawal, rajma-chawal, and kadhi-chawal remain available to students.

These changes are in line with the Central government's PM POSHAN nutrition norms, which require schools to provide 450 calories and 12 grams of protein per child per day. Additionally, the Directorate of Education had planned to introduce idli-sambar in school meals by August 24, but its implementation has been delayed due to a lack of funds for specialized equipment.