Khana Khazana (Recipe demonstration) through volunteers to ascertain appropriate feeding practices and behaviors

The document describes SNEHA's "Khana Khazana" initiative, which aims to promote healthy eating habits and appropriate feeding practices in urban informal settlements. The program addresses the widespread consumption of junk food, which contributes to malnutrition and health issues like obesity and infections. It also focuses on educating communities about nutritious, affordable, and locally available food options while emphasizing food hygiene and proper cooking techniques.

Through monthly cooking demonstrations, SNEHA trains community volunteers and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) staff to showcase healthy recipes. These demonstrations highlight practices such as washing food thoroughly, minimizing nutrient loss during cooking, and discussing the nutritional value of various ingredients. Active community engagement helps participants understand and adopt better cooking and feeding practices.

The initiative has shown measurable results, including improved dietary diversity and increased consumption of iron-rich foods among pregnant women. Despite challenges like a community preference for junk food, repetitive messaging and interactive sessions have successfully influenced behavior. This approach highlights the potential of community-based platforms to promote nutrition awareness and combat malnutrition effectively.