Microgreens, Fried Rice & Biryani: Kerala Revamps Govt School Mid-Day Meals To Boost Nutrition

Kerala government implemented a uniform midday meal menu statewide by including fried rice and biryani, prioritising nutrition and local flavours.

Traditional and millet-based recipes have also been incorporated, reflecting Kerala’s emphasis on local, healthy grains.

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In a move aimed at improving student nutrition and ensuring consistency across its education system, the Kerala government has introduced a uniform midday meal menu for all schools in the State. The updated plan follows recommendations by an expert committee that conducted a scientific review of existing meal offerings.

Kerala To Revise Mid Meals Menu 

The revised menu puts a spotlight on variety, balance, and local flavors. Vegetables will now be a staple in daily curries, while microgreens—young, nutrient-dense plant shoots—will replace traditional vegetables at least twice a month, reported The Hindu. Pulses such as green gram, red gram, and green peas will also be incorporated more frequently to enhance the protein content of meals.

Education Minister V. Sivankutty announced that the new menu will be rolled out uniformly across all districts, reported Kerala Kaumudi. Each week, students will receive a serving of vegetable fried rice or biryani made using fortified rice, paired with nutritious curries like koottu curry or kuruma. Leafy vegetable dishes will be enriched with lentils and pulses to improve their nutritional value.

A flavorful addition to the menu is a specially prepared chammanthi (chutney) made with spearmint (pudina), ginger, gooseberry (nellikka), and raw mango. This condiment will accompany rice dishes such as lemon rice, vegetable rice, or biryani, adding both taste and health benefits.

Traditional and millet-based recipes have also been incorporated, reflecting Kerala’s emphasis on local, healthy grains. New items include ragi balls, ragi kozhukatta (a steamed sweet made with jaggery and coconut), ela ada, aval kuthirthathu, and carrot payasam made with milk. Millet-based payasams will also appear periodically, supporting the state’s effort to promote millets as part of a balanced diet, as per a report on Manorama.