A one day school meals festival was organised by NESFAS today at Laitsohpliah in East Khasi Hills.
A number of activists, reputed international and national journalists, bureaucrats and others participated in the event along with the teachers, Midday Meal (MDM) cooks, students and community members of Laitsohpliah.
The festival kicked off with the inauguration by Kathleen Finlay, visiting from New York where she is the president of the Glynwood Centre for Regional Food and Farming. She mentioned that her organisation is also working towards reviving food systems in the United States, especially in New York which have been erased over time.
The competition was part of the ‘Linking to Agrobiodiversity for Improved Diets, Nutrition and Livelihoods’ initiative by NESFAS, which aims at increasing access of school children to healthy, nutritious and diverse balanced diets through school meals.
Six schools – Dewlieh Govt LP School, Nongtraw RCLP School, Mawmihthied Govt LP School, Khliehumstem Presbyterian LP & UP School, Subakalai SSA LP School and Laitsohpliah RCLP/UP School – took part in the competition, which showcased local school meals platters prepared by the participating schools. Khliehumstem Presbyterian was adjudged winners of the competition.
In his welcome address, Nestar Kharmawphlang, Secretary of the Dorbar Shnong Laitsohpliah, said that this project is one among his favourites his community has collaborated on with NESFAS. “Our focus is on procuring ingredients for the school meals locally by utilising our rich biodiversity. The school garden initiative has helped children get closer to nature and get a better understanding of the food they eat,” he said.
Also in attendance was the renowned American food journalist Mark Bittman, a former columnist of the New York Times. He mentioned that mono-cropping has destroyed food systems worldwide and that the world needs to learn from indigenous communities such as in Laitsohpliah.
“We eat what we grow and if we grow plenty of plants, the health of both humans and the world will improve. We really need to showcase these indigenous food systems to the world,” he said. “I’m impressed by what NESFAS is doing and I’m thankful to be here learning.”
Phiba Tariang, Headmistress of the Govt LP School Dewlieh, extended her gratitude to NESFAS for the school meals initiative. “Our school garden has helped us in implementing a menu plan that includes wild edibles, which helps give nutrition to the children,” she commented.
Alfred Iawphniaw, SDSEO Sohra, gave a short speech where he said, “I’ll convey a message to the higher authorities that the school meals model under NESFAS is a huge success and that we should replicate this model across schools in all parts of the state.”
