MILLENNIUM NATIONAL SCHOOL

Vision

At Millennium National School, we believe that healthy eating is an essential part of a child's physical growth, cognitive development, emotional well-being, and academic success. Our school is committed to providing nutritious, balanced, hygienic, and freshly prepared meals that promote lifelong healthy eating habits.

Objectives

The school aims to:

• Provide balanced nutrition to every child.
• Encourage healthy food habits from an early age.
• Minimize consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods.
• Promote locally available and seasonal foods.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
• Foster awareness regarding sustainable and responsible eating.

Guiding Principles

The school menu shall be based on the following principles:

1. Balanced Nutrition

Every day's meals will include an appropriate combination of:

• Whole grains and cereals
• Pulses and legumes
• Milk and milk products
• Fresh vegetables
• Healthy fats in moderation

2. Variety

To ensure children receive a broad range of nutrients:

• Breakfast items will rotate daily.
• Different pulses will be served throughout the week.
• Different vegetables will be included daily.
• Snacks will vary between banana, roasted snacks, laddoos, popcorn, chivda, etc.

3. Freshly Prepared Food

• Meals will be freshly cooked every day.
• Food from previous days will never be served.
• Reheated food will be avoided.
• Seasonal produce will be preferred.

Meal Pattern

Breakfast

Breakfast will include wholesome traditional Indian preparations such as: Idli-Sambar, Upma, Dalia, Poha, Tomato Sanja, Medu Vada, Sheera (served occasionally), Vermicelli Upma etc.

Breakfast will aim to provide:

• Complex carbohydrates
• Moderate protein
• Fibre
• Energy for learning

Lunch

Lunch shall provide:

Cereals

Examples: Rice, Khichdi, Jeera Rice, Vegetable Rice

Pulses

Examples: Dal, Moong Dal, Amti, Chhole, Usal, Dal Fry

Vegetables

A variety of:

• Leafy vegetables
• Seasonal vegetables
• Cruciferous vegetables
• Mixed vegetables

Examples: Cabbage, Cauliflower, Matar, Tomato, Spinach, Shev Bhaji, Paneer, Potato (served in moderation) etc.

Dairy

Regular inclusion of: Curd, Buttermilk, Raita

Snacks

Evening snacks shall consist primarily of wholesome homemade or minimally processed foods such as: Seasonal fruits, Roasted chivda, Popcorn, Peanut laddoo, Homemade multigrain snacks etc.

Processed packaged snacks will be discouraged.

Fruits

Banana

Protein Policy

The school recognises protein as essential for growing children.

Protein sources shall include:

Moong, Chana, Matki, Dal, Chhole, Rajma (when included), Soybean, Paneer, Milk products, Peanuts, Sesame etc.

Vegetable Policy

The menu shall include a wide variety of vegetables with emphasis on:

• Green leafy vegetables
• Seasonal vegetables
• Colourful vegetables
• Locally grown produce

Potatoes shall not be the only vegetable served.

Sugar Policy

The school shall:

• Limit refined sugar.
• Serve sweets only occasionally.
• Prefer jaggery wherever appropriate.
• Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.

Oil & Fat Policy

Cooking practices shall include:

• Moderate use of edible oil.
• Minimal deep frying.
• Preference for steaming, boiling, sautéing and roasting.
• Avoidance of repeated heating of oil.

Salt Policy

Salt shall be used in moderation.

High-sodium processed foods will not be served.

Water Policy

Safe, filtered drinking water shall be available at all times.

Children shall be encouraged to remain hydrated throughout the day.

Food Safety & Hygiene

The school shall ensure:

• Daily cleaning and sanitisation of the kitchen.
• Personal hygiene of all food handlers.
• Hairnets, gloves, and clean uniforms for kitchen staff.
• Safe food storage practices.
• Regular pest control.
• Fresh ingredients only.
• Proper waste management.

Foods Not Served

The school discourages serving:

• Carbonated drinks
• Energy drinks
• Packaged fruit drinks
• Instant noodles
• Chips
• Deep-fried packaged snacks
• Candy
• Artificially coloured foods
• Highly processed foods

Allergy Management

Parents are encouraged to inform the school regarding:

• Food allergies
• Lactose intolerance
• Gluten sensitivity
• Medical dietary restrictions

Appropriate precautions shall be taken wherever feasible.

Nutrition Education

The school will promote nutrition education through:

• Healthy eating awareness programmes
• Classroom discussions
• Kitchen garden activities
• Food appreciation activities
• Encouraging children to taste a variety of nutritious foods

Sustainability

The school promotes environmentally responsible food practices by:

• Using seasonal produce
• Reducing food waste
• Encouraging mindful eating

Monitoring & Review

The school menu shall be reviewed periodically to ensure:

• Nutritional adequacy
• Seasonal availability
• Variety
• Student acceptance
• Food safety compliance
• Alignment with national dietary recommendations

Our Nutrition Commitment

Millennium National School is committed to nurturing healthy minds through healthy meals. Every meal served is thoughtfully planned to provide balanced nutrition, encourage lifelong healthy eating habits, and support the overall growth, well-being, and learning of every child. We believe that nutritious food is not merely a meal—it is an investment in a child's future.