* Come Sankranti, students will be able to savour variety of dishes with a separate menu for each day of the week, Kiranmai Tutika gives a low down of the proposed med-day meal makeover

* The menu for each zone offer a variety of dishes throughout the week, with a special provision for Tuesdays, where two menu options will be available

Metro India News | AMARAVATI :

When students in Andhra Pradesh's government schools return after Sankranti holidays, they will be in for a culinary surprise. Regionally tailored menus under the “Dokha Seethamma Madhyahna Badi Bhojanam” scheme, which provides midday meals to students, is undergoing a significant change, with the introduction of four distinct zones, each with its own menu designed to reflect local tastes and dietary habits.

Currently, a common menu is followed across all government schools in Andhra Pradesh. While efforts are made to provide nutritious meals, this one-size-fits-all approach doesn't consider the diverse food preferences across the state's various regions.

This unified approach has faced challenges in student acceptance, with some dishes being more popular in certain areas than others. This can lead to food wastage and potentially impact the program's effectiveness in ensuring adequate nutrition.

The new menu structure prioritizes nutritional balance while catering to the diverse culinary preferences across the state. The state has been divided into four zones, Zone 1: Comprising the combined districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam. Zone 2: Encompassing East and West Godavari, and Krishna districts. Zone 3: Covering Guntur, Nellore, and Prakasam districts. Zone 4: Including Chittoor, Kurnool, Kadapa, and Anantapur districts.

This zonal approach acknowledges the variations in food preferences across different regions of Andhra Pradesh. By tailoring the meals to local tastes, the government aims to increase student engagement with the program and ensure they receive the necessary nutrition.

The menus for each zone offer a variety of dishes throughout the week, with a special provision for Tuesdays, where two menu options will be available, allowing schools to choose based on student preference. This flexibility further ensures that the meals are well-received by the students. The implementation of these new menus is scheduled to begin after the Sankranti holidays, marking a significant step towards providing more nutritious and culturally relevant meals to students in Andhra Pradesh's government schools.

Here’s a breakdown of the weekly menus for each zone:

Zone 1:

Monday: Rice, lentil soup with leafy greens, boiled egg, and peanut brittle (Chikki).

Tuesday: Rice, egg curry, lentil soup, Rasam, and Ragi Java (finger millet porridge) or (Pulihora, chutney, boiled egg, and Ragi Java.)

Wednesday: Vegetable Pulao, potato kurma, boiled egg, and Chikki.

Thursday: Rice, Sambar, egg curry, and Ragi Java.

Friday: Pulihora (with Gongura or vegetables), boiled egg, and Chikki.

Saturday: White rice, vegetable curry, Rasam, Ragi Java, and sweet Pongal (rice pudding).

Zone 2:

Monday: Rice, lentil soup with leafy greens, fried egg, and Chikki.

Tuesday: Pulihora, chutney, boiled egg, and Ragi Java.

Wednesday: Rice, vegetable curry, fried egg, and Chikki.

Thursday: Vegetable Pulao, potato kurma, boiled egg, and Ragi Java.

Friday: Pulihora, chutney, fried egg, and Chikki.

Saturday: Rice, vegetable curry, Rasam, Ragi Java, and sweet Pongal.

Zone 3:

Monday: Rice, Sambar, fried egg, and Chikki.

Tuesday: Pulihora with tomato/mint chutney, fried egg, and Ragi Java.

Wednesday: Rice, curry with four vegetables, fried egg, and Chikki.

Thursday: Vegetable rice/pulao, potato kurma, boiled egg, and Ragi Java.

Friday: Rice, egg curry, and Chikki.

Saturday: Rice, tomato lentil soup/Pappu Charu, jaggery Pongal, and Ragi Java.

Zone 4:

Monday: Rice, vegetable curry, boiled egg, and Chikki.

Tuesday: Pulagam/Pulihora, peanut chutney, fried egg, and Ragi Java.

Wednesday: Rice, Sambar, boiled egg, and Chikki.

Thursday: Vegetable rice, egg curry, and Ragi Java.

Friday: Rice, lentil soup with leafy greens, boiled egg, and Chikki.

Saturday: Rice, Kandipappu Charu, jaggery Pongal, and Ragi Java.