In an effort to enhance the nutritional quality of meals for children, the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department in Delhi has launched a revamped food menu for anganwadis this winter. The new menu includes six exciting and health-boosting items such as ragi ladoos and crunchy peanut ‘chaat,’ featuring millets as a key ingredient.
The initiative is part of the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme, which was revised in September 2024 to offer more nutritious food during the colder months. The revised menu now incorporates millets like bajra, jowar, and soy flour, aiming to improve the overall nutritional intake of children.
A WCD official explained, “To enhance the nutritional value of meals provided to beneficiaries, we have added new items like ragi besan ladoo, peanut chaat, lobiya chaat, peanut poha, and flattened rice snacks.” The inclusion of winter-friendly edibles such as spinach further boosts the meals’ nutritional content. For example, sweet bajra has replaced sweet daliya to add more health benefits to the menu.
A Focus on Millets: Nutrient-Rich Superfoods
Nutritionist Archana, who works with the WCD, emphasized the importance of millets in the revised menu. “Millets are considered traditional superfoods that are rich in fiber, protein, and essential micronutrients like iron and calcium. By adding millets, we are ensuring that children receive not just enough calories, but also the essential nutrients required for their growth and development.”
In addition to the children’s meals, millets have also been incorporated into the Take Home Ration scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers. This change is part of the government’s broader push for nutrient-rich and sustainable foods, aligning with modern dietary recommendations.
Sustainable and Improved Nutritional Value
The shift to millets in the food menu also includes other improvements to the Take Home Ration scheme. Previously, the ration included basic ingredients like whole wheat flour, moong dal, jaggery, skimmed milk powder, edible oil, groundnuts, and vitamin and mineral premixes. Now, soy flour has been added to further enhance the nutritional profile.
The initiative has received significant funding under the Poshan 2.0 scheme. According to the WCD, the scheme has been allocated around ₹180 crore, with ₹5.57 crore spent during 2023-24 and ₹17.52 crore already utilized in the current year.
Ensuring Quality and Seasonal Variations
To ensure the meals’ quality, there are 25 kitchens spread across various districts of Delhi where meals are prepared daily. These kitchens are regularly inspected by child development officers and district officers. The meals are designed to vary according to the season, maximizing their nutritional benefits.
Under the scheme, children aged 0-3 years receive “take-home rations” every fortnight, while children aged 4-6 years enjoy cooked meals and snacks at anganwadi centres.
The Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 initiative is an integrated nutrition support scheme that aims to tackle malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The introduction of millets and other nutrient-dense foods marks a significant step towards improving the health and well-being of Delhi’s young population.
Sources By Agencies
