World Food Day 2024: Every Child’s Right to Nutritious Food
On the occasion of World Food Day, it’s worth reflecting on the idea that every child should have easy access to nutritious and healthy food. Ensuring what they eat today lays the foundation for a healthier tomorrow.
Krishna Kumar 
On the occasion of World Food Day, it’s worth reflecting on the idea that every child should have easy access to nutritious and healthy food. Ensuring what they eat today lays the foundation for a healthier tomorrow.
According to the UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (2021) report, 149 million children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition.
Undernourished children often struggle to focus in school and are more vulnerable to diseases, affecting both their mental and physical development.
Government initiatives like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Poshan Abhiyaan have made strides in addressing this issue, offering free lunches to over 120 million children in government schools and ensuring their meals contain the right nutritional balance, essential during their developmental years.
Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative approach from the government, civil society, and corporates. Ensuring access to balanced, nutritious meals is not just an ethical responsibility—it’s an investment in the country’s future.
By - Purnota Dutta Bahl , Founder & CEO, Cuddles Foundation
