New "Community Kitchen" scheme launched in MP

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/scheme-to-tackle-malnutrition-launched-in-madhya-pradesh_100269553.html

Today we went to visit the anganwadi center in Umri, a town close to Jhabua's district center but rife with malnutrition. When I asked the anganwadi the standard question about the supplements she was providing to the children, she led me around to the back of the school adjacent to the center to a smoke-filled kitchen. The room was so poorly ventilated that I couldn't see without squinting and couldn't stand in the room without holding my breath, but through red eyes, I was able to see a delicious looking pot of dal and fresh rotis being cooked on a skillet.

The three women who braved these kitchen conditions were part of a newly formed local self-help group (SHG) who are now in charge of making the meals for the anganwadi center and the elementary school next door.

This is part of the Chief Minister's new solution for malnutrition, Sanjha Chulha, creating community kitchens to prepare full, hot meals as midday meals and anganwadi supplements instead of pre-packaged foods.

First week on, things seem to be going pretty well. The former system, which relied on many centrally located self-help groups to prepare ready-made food, was problematic and rife with corruption. I often saw wheat meant for schools on sale at the market. Common were stories of SHGs who made substandard food and profited from their economy. Anganwadis, who are already overburdened with responsibilities in health, nutrition, and education, spent large portions of their days cooking. There is plenty room for corruption in this model as well, but at least there will be more visibility and accountability will be placed with the community. While communities aren't always the best monitors or good at demanding the services they deserve, they're more reliable than a hand full of government inspectors and monitors. This will also provide a small income to women in the community (many mothers of small children themselves) and will foster greater community involvement in the centers.

While I don't agree that this program is revolutionary, nor will it greatly affect the incidence of severe acute malnutrition (those kids aren't going to the anganwadi centers), this is certainly a great concept and an improvement to the system.