Special Correspondent
Panaji
Akshaya Patra Foundation (APF), a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit organisation, which has been taken on board by the government to supply quality mid-day meal for some schools across the state under the Mid-day Meal Scheme, will begin its operations in Goa from April 1, 2025, the beginning of the academic year 2025-26.
Stating that the government will also continue similar services provided to schools by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as well as Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs), Director of Education Shailesh Zingade told The Navhind Times that initially the Foundation will provide meal to only 2,500 students.
“Subsequently, the APF will expand its scope of work to 5,000 students,” he said, pointing out that the Foundation had won a bid to supply meal to a total of 5,000 students on daily basis.
Speaking further, the director of education stated that there will be no change in the menu and the meal supplied by the Foundation will have same items as currently provided by the SHGs and PTAs. “Furthermore, the APF will have to agree to the same rate as fixed for SHGs and PTAs,” he said.
Zingade also said that the Foundation is yet to officially approach the department of education; however; it has been provided land by the department of revenue at the Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelter in the Pilerne industrial estate for setting up its kitchen.
“The Foundation is required to obtain permissions like licence from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and so on, before approaching the department of education,” he said.
Meanwhile, the kitchen, which is the Foundation’s 78th in the country, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on March 17. It will be followed by a ceremonial serving of mid-day meals to government school children.
The state-of-the-art kitchen facility, as per the Foundation, is expected to have a positive impact on child welfare. The Foundation has adopted educational innovative approaches to address hunger and malnutrition.
