Millets: Nourishing Children, Reviving Heritage

Building Health, Learning, and Resilience Through Traditional Nutrition

Good nutrition lays the foundation for learning, growth, and overall wellbeing. Across underserved schools, a quiet transformation is underway, led by the Green Society of India (GSI), using an age-old solution: millets.

Rediscovering an Ancient Superfood

Once considered “food for the poor,” millets are now recognized as nutritional powerhouses, rich in:

• Iron and calcium
  
• Dietary fiber
  
• Essential amino acids 

These nutrients help improve immunity, support growth, and enhance brain development. In India, where child malnutrition remains a major concern—with one in three children undernourished and more than 35% under five stunted—millets offer a natural, sustainable solution for healthier futures.

The Initiative: Millets for Millions

GSI’s program is designed to deliver nutrition, awareness, and community impact:

• Serving 1,000+ children across 10 schools in two states
  
• Providing daily millet-based meals to boost health and energy
  
• Sourcing grains from local farmers, supporting rural livelihoods
  
• Promoting awareness of millets among students 

Transforming Lives in the Classroom

Teachers report measurable improvements among students:

• Increased energy and attentiveness
  
• Improved school attendance
  
• Better digestion and immunity
  
• Enhanced learning outcomes
  

“Millets are doing what textbooks couldn’t—keeping kids active, alert, and eager to learn,” says one teacher.

Policy Alignment and Global Recognition

The initiative aligns with:

• India’s National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyaan)
  
• Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger
  
• Global recognition through the UN’s 2023 International Year of Millets
  

Looking Ahead

GSI aims to reach 1 million children through expanded millet-based meals, cooking facilities, and farmer engagement.

By bringing millets back into schools, kitchens, and fields, we are:

• Nourishing children’s bodies
  
• Empowering communities
  
• Building hopeful, healthy futures

Get Involved

Support the initiative and help scale millet-based nutrition programs across more schools.

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