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~NSF and FFF Pilot Program Cuts Child Undernourishment by 4%
~Two Major Research Reports Launched on Nutrition Education Impact
National, March 11th, 2025: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the critical role of nutrition education in shaping holistic, well-rounded individuals by integrating nutrition into the school curriculum. This policy lays the groundwork for systemic change, ensuring that every child has the knowledge and tools needed to thrive. In line with this vision, the Nourishing Schools Foundation, in collaboration with the Food Future Foundation (FFF), under the aegis of The Coalition for Food Systems Transformation in India (CoFTI), and in partnership with Niiti Consulting and the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) hosted the Nutrition Conclave 2025 on March 7th. The event featured panel discussions, a closed-door workshop, and the launch of two reports—NSF & Niiti Consulting’s study on integrating nutrition education and NSF and Niiti Consulting & IMPRI’s report on its impact on school absenteeism and cognitive development.
The high-impact panel discussions at the conclave underscored the urgent need to integrate nutrition education into school curriculums, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to tackle micronutrient deficiencies and long-term health outcomes. The first panel, ‘Aligning Nutrition Education with NEP 2020’ featured experts such as Ms. Purnima Thakur (Assistant Director, Ministry of Women and Child Development) and Mr. Pawan Agarwal (CEO, Food Future Foundation), who stressed the importance of early interventions and behavioral change in shaping lifelong healthy habits. The second panel, ‘Implementing Nutrition Education – Challenges and Opportunities’, brought together Dr. Raj Bhandari (Niti Aayog) and Ms. Anita Malhotra (Principal, Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram) focusing on cross-sectoral collaboration, public-private partnerships, and structured food literacy programs to ensure sustainable impact.
The event was graced by Smt. Savitri Thakur, Honourable Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Government of India, who highlighted the importance of nutrition in shaping both physical and cognitive development, stating, “Nutrition is the foundation of a healthier future, impacting not just physical health but also cognitive development and productivity. A balanced diet, taken in the right portions at the right time, is essential. Through Poshan 2.0, we are reaching 8 crore children, 1 crore pregnant women, and 20 lakh adolescent girls, yet awareness remains key. Poshan Shiksha must translate into action, and with women leading change, we can build a stronger, healthier India.”
Ms. Archana Sinha, CEO & Co-founder, Nourishing Schools Foundation, remarked, “The urgency for nutrition education in schools has never been greater. With every second Indian adolescent either undernourished or overweight, we must create structured learning environments that equip children with the knowledge and skills to make healthier choices. Our Nourishing Schools pilot programs have demonstrated that integrating food literacy into school curriculums can reduce undernourishment by up to 14 percentage points. By uniting educators, policymakers, and advocates, we can empower every child to build a foundation for a healthier, nourished future.”
Mr. Pawan Agarwal, CEO, Food Future Foundation and Former CEO, FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), said, “Food literacy must move beyond awareness it is not just about nutrition—it’s about empowering students with critical thinking, self-awareness, and the ability to make informed choices about what they eat. Philanthropy, CSR, and private schools must take the lead in mainstreaming this effort, creating models that inspire policy adoption at scale. Nourishing School Foundation and Food Future Foundation have developed impact-driven metrics and dashboards to ensure food literacy is measurable, actionable, and transformative.“
Ms. Anita Malhotra, Principal, Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram, added, “Embedding nutrition education early is essential—children must learn young to live healthy. At Lotus Valley, we have introduced various activities and lessons related to nutrition education. Today, students understand how to adopt a balanced diet, but we must go further. Through our Food Literacy Plus Curriculum, developed with Food Future Foundation and the Nourishing Schools Foundation, we aim to scale this initiative, ensuring that nutrition becomes a core part of education, shaping healthier generations for the future”
The event concluded with stakeholders discussing next steps and actionables, encouraging the use of data-driven insights from the newly launched reports to shape the way forward. They emphasized the need for structured food literacy programs and stronger policy implementation to drive sustainable impact and achieve SDG-2 of eliminating all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Nourishing Schools Foundation is playing a crucial role in this effort, impacting 95,000 children across 330+ schools in over four states, with students actively engaging in nutrition-focused activities through a structured curriculum.
