The health of the people is the wealth of country. Among various factors affecting the health of the people, nutrition has been found to be the most important pre-requisite. Nutrition and health are complementary and also inseparable. These two factors very strongly control the quality of life specially in a developing Country like ours.

Nutrition Education of the people has been regarded since long as an important tool for nutrition promotion of the people. The basic objectives of the schemes are :-

- To create nutrition awareness among the people particularly the women and adolescent girls;

- To impart skills and education for achieving adequate nutrition within their available means;

- To train housewives and adolescent girls in fruit & vegetable preservation;

- To explain the importance of non-food factors like hygiene, sanitation, safe drinking water etc. for nutrition and health of the people;

- To equip the grassroot level workers of concerned sectors with basic messages on food, nutrition and health so as to enable than to communicate to the community during the Course of their duties.

To enlighten the people about the existing health, nutrition and welfare services for promoting their optimal utilisation.

The FNB launched a Mobile Food and Nutrition Extension Service as early as in 1964 with four Mobile Extension Units (MEUs) at Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. The number of MEUs expanded to 34 by the 7th Five Year Plan. A network of 33 Community Canning and Preservation Centres (CCPCs) was also created during 60s and 70s to provide education and training in homescale preservation of fruits and vegetables as well as processing facilities to the community. The CCPCs were renamed as Food and Nutrition Extension Centres (FNECs) in early 80s to lay greater emphasis on improving the nutrition of the lower socio-economic stratra. During 1992, the MEUs and FNECs were amalgamated and renamed as "Community Food and Nutrition Extension Units" (CFNEUs) to facilitate better collaboration with the State Governments.

CFNEUs organise training of grassroot level workers belonging to concerned sectors viz, agriculture, health,, Women and Child Development, Education, Rural Development at village and lock levels with a view to Impart simple knowledge on food, nutrition on health so that the message of nutrition is conveyed to the community through various grassroot level workers during the course of their respective duties. A 5 clay Integrated Nutrition Education Camp is organised with the help of block and district level agencies of the concerned sectors including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Training is imparted through practical demonstrations supported by lecture-cum-discussions, film and slide shows and exhibitions on various aspects of food, nutrition, health and food preservation.

Special efforts are made to organise educational training programme for tribal groups, SC/ST communities and minorities in minority concentration districts.

Non-Governmental Organisations play a vital role in the society as educators, implementors of change and provide a bridging link between the government and the people. Their spread is also very large. These are involved in various social works including developmental activities. In the field of nutrition promotion, Government efforts alone cannot fulfil the need of the entire country. People's participation can be ensured to a large extent through the networking with NGOs. Taking cognisance of this reality, Food & Nutrition Board has been enlisting the cooperation and involvement of NGOs in delivering its services to the community, thus creating a multiplier effect towards the activities of the Board.

Fruits and vegetables provide maximum vitamins when consumed fresh. But they are highly perishable commodities and cannot be kept as such for long. Considering the perishable and seasonal nature of fruits and vegetables, and also to avoid the glut season, it is, important to preserve these in season when available in plenty so as to ensure their supply throughout the year and ensure good nutrition. Units organise two weeks' training courses in home- scale preservation of fruits and vegetables including food and nutrition, mainly for the housewives and adolescent girls at a nominal fee of Rs. 5/- per trainee. Training is imparted through practical demonstrations supported by lecture-cum-discussions, film and slide shows and exhibitions. Generally each batch consists of about 25 trainees. Preparation of the following products is taught during the training - Jam, Jellies and Marmalades - Preserves and Candies - Fruit syrups

The trainees bring their raw material to the class and take back the products prepared by them during the training.

A certificate is also issued at the end of the training course.

The training courses are also organised for special groups like Tribal Women, SC/ST Communities, Minorities in minority concentration districts and Families of Industrial Establishments on request. Contact the Officer in charge of the Unit and get yourself enrolled for training.

Processing facilities are offered to the community at Food and Nutrition Extension Centres at nominal cost for domestic consumption. Raw materials, however, are brought to the Centre by the patrons themselves. Appointments can be fixed over telephone for availing of this inexpensive yet useful service.

In order to achieve nutrition education goals, multimedia campaign strategy is adopted by utilizing all means of & mass media communication. Production & distribution of nutrition education., training & publicity are the most important activities of FNB. Various types of publicity material like posters, folders, pamphlets, booklets, leaflets, video films, TV/Radio spots, documentaries, health & nutrition education films, Radio programmes has developed in Hindi, English & other regional languages. To avail the facilities & to obtain the publicity material, please contact the nearest CFNEU or office of the Regional Dy. Tech. Adviser of F.N.B as given below :-