School children in Pune who attend Kai Ramrao Genuji Palande Ashramshala school are not only receiving better nourishment through NutriHarvest, they are learning lifelong habits that support healthier, more energetic futures.

Before NutriHarvest, interviews with school stakeholders reveals that children’s diets were dominated by low-nutrient, processed snacks high in sugar, salt, and refined flour. While these foods filled stomachs, they offered little nutritional value, contributing to fatigue, poor concentration, weakened immunity, and irregular attendance among children.

HarvestPlus Solutions launched NutriPathshala (‘nutri school’) at Ashramshala in March 2025—an innovate school feeding initiative that goes beyond food provision to foster nutrition education, behavior change, and family empowerment. 

At the heart of NutriPathshala is Nutri Dabba, which incorporates nutrient-enriched snacks made of locally produced, biofortified zinc wheat and biofortified iron pearl millet. These snacks are now regularly delivered to the 313 school children, helping address widespread micronutrient deficiencies. 

What sets NutriPathshala apart is its holistic, child-centered design. Nutri Diaries help students track nutritious food intake and build accountability for healthy choices; Nutri Buddies engage children in fun, age-appropriate lessons on hygiene, nutrition, and reading food labels; Arogya Clubs transform wellness into an interactive experience though games and creative activities. Together, these elements have transformed the school into a model for integrated child development, where learning, health, and joy go hand in hand. 

Reflecting on this transformation, school principal Mr. Dhamdhere shared, “Earlier, our focus was simply to ensure that no child went hungry. But we kept seeing low energy levels and recurring sickness. Our students didn’t know what anemia was, or how to read a food label. We realized that for our 313 children to truly succeed, their plates needed more than calories, they needed hidden strength from micronutrients.” This realization has galvanized the school’s leadership, trustees, and management committee to adopt Nutri Pathshala as a long-term and permanent investment in their students’ futures.

The impact is begin felt by the children themselves. Following a NutriHarvest education session in November 2025–where the children learned about nutrition, food labels, and personal hygiene through fun, interactive games—Kalyani Gaikwad, a Grade 6 student, said, “My favorite snack is the [biofortified] bajra ladoo because it gives me so much energy for sports! I love meeting our Nutri Buddy Didi—we learn through games and puzzles. My Nutri Diary helps me understand how to stay strong and not feel tired.” 

Through NutriHarvest, children at Ashramshala school are eating better, learning smarter, and building the foundations for a brighter future.