Provide sustainable food choices for all on campus, including vegetarian and vegan food

Introduction

Yes, JSS AHER ensures that the food provided on campus, especially in its hostels, includes sustainable, nutritious, and diverse choices that cater to a variety of dietary preferences and requirements, including vegetarian options.

Diverse and Inclusive Menu Offerings

JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER) is committed to sustainability and inclusivity across various aspects of campus life, including food services. Our on-campus dining facilities, particularly in student hostels and food courts are designed to cater to a diverse student body with varied cultural and dietary preferences. Our food service approach prioritizes sustainable choices, inclusive of vegetarian and vegan options, alongside nutrient-dense, balanced meals to ensure that students have access to healthy and eco-friendly food choices that contribute to their well-being.


Sustainable and Nutritious Options

The menu provided by JSS AHER across breakfast, lunch, and dinner reflects a balance of nutrients critical for daily dietary needs. Foods are prepared with a focus on nutrient-dense ingredients and include options high in proteins, dietary fibers, and essential vitamins and minerals.

  • Energy and Protein Balance: Breakfast items like poha, upma, and curd provide energy and proteins, while items like paratha and curd offer a balanced carbohydrate and fat content. For dinner, curries like paneer curry and mushroom curry ensure adequate protein intake
  • Dietary Fiber and Micronutrient Content: Items such as various vegetable dishes (e.g., beetroot, cabbage, carrot, beans, etc.) are rich in dietary fibers, supporting digestive health, while calcium and iron are sufficiently provided through dairy, legumes, and select grains.

Plant-Based and Vegetarian Options

The menu prominently includes vegetarian food options, which can support vegan adaptations by omitting dairy where necessary. Notable choices include:

  • Vegetable Curries and Sides: Various palyas (vegetable dishes) made from beetroot, cabbage, carrot, and beans, along with staple items like rice, chapati, dal, and sambar, are key plant-based components.
  • Grain and Legume Combinations: Whole grains (rice, chapati) and legumes (dal, rajmah curry, chole) make up protein-rich, vegetarian meals with high fiber and iron content.
  • Fresh Fruit and Plant-Based Desserts: Fruits like watermelon, papaya, banana, and traditional sweets provide natural sugars and essential vitamins, while also catering to diverse dietary preferences.

Support for Sustainable Diets

JSS AHER’s menu focuses on low environmental impact foods by prioritizing plant-based ingredients and minimally processed items that require fewer resources to produce, aligning with sustainable dietary practices.

Nutritional Composition of Food Provided at JSSAHER Hostels

(Menu provided including with nutritional composition for all the seven (7) days. Food recipes per 100g of edible portions)

JSS AHER’s hostel dining facilities operate on a seven-day meal rotation designed to meet daily nutrient requirements while offering variety and balanced nutrition. Below is a detailed breakdown of the nutritional composition of different meal options provided across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Breakfast Menu

The breakfast menu at JSS AHER provides a selection of vegetarian meals with high carbohydrate and moderate protein content, ideal for sustaining students' energy throughout the morning. Typical breakfast items include poha, aloo paratha, upma, and idli, all prepared in hygienic conditions using fresh ingredients. Nutritional data for some common breakfast items is outlined below:


Breakfast Menu

Item Energy (Kcal) Protein (g) Carbohydrate (g) Total Fat (g) Dietary Fiber (g) Total Free Sugars (g) Sodium (mg) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)
Maggie 437.0 10.40 63.50 15.70 3.90 3.40 1232.2 153.5 3.70
Upma 108.4 3.12 16.57 3.03 3.06 1.07 4.11 14.9 0.87
Aloo Paratha 264.0 4.75 38.17 10.76 3.30 4.63 477.0 30.0 2.65
Tea (100 ml) 17.0 0.52 2.80 0.46 0.0 2.72 8.0 18.0 0.01
Coffee (100 ml) 17.0 0.18 4.04 0.08 0.0 3.7 3.0 6.0 0.04
Milk (100 ml) 62.0 3.32 4.66 3.35 0.0 5.42 41.0 117.0 0.03

Lunch Menu

Our lunch menu provides wholesome meals emphasizing plant-based and dairy protein sources. The lunch offerings include chapati, dal, pulao, rajmah curry, and raita, supporting a balanced intake of macronutrients and fiber.

Item Energy (Kcal) Protein (g) Carbohydrate (g) Total Fat (g) Dietary Fiber (g) Total Free Sugars (g) Sodium (mg) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)
Chapati 170.0 5.84 32.5 1.55 1.2 0.65 138.0 21.0 2.03
Dal 68.0 3.40 8.12 1.67 1.9 1.01 4.77 17.15 0.92
Rajmah Curry 60.68 2.95 6.54 1.53 2.98 1.18 3.99 24.84 1.17
Sambar 63.61 3.15 10.38 0.85 1.96 1.76 6.96 19.41 0.89
Moong Curry 57.48 3.19 6.02 1.37 1.76 0.82 3.78 11.53 0.72

Dinner Menu

For dinner, the menu offers nutrient-dense options such as ghee rice, paneer curry, aloo fry, and mixed vegetables. These meals provide a balance of macronutrients, minerals, and dietary fiber essential for evening recovery and maintaining satiety overnight.

Item Energy (Kcal) Protein (g) Carbohydrate (g) Total Fat (g) Dietary Fiber (g) Total Free Sugars (g) Sodium (mg) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)
Paneer Curry 121.49 6.37 3.32 9.13 0.89 1.0 2.07 207.63 0.93
Ghee Rice 188.0 3.0 19.99 10.65 0.67 0.9 0.6 11.3 0.4
Aloo Fry 150.0 2.0 22.0 10.1 1.1 0.3 7.9 9.8 0.3
Fried Rice 163.0 4.7 31.0 2.3 1.1 0.4 396.0 19.0 1.39
Pav Bhaji 400.0 9.4 57.9 14.5 4.5 1.7 170.5 70.2 2.2

Desserts and Fruits

The dessert menu includes options like jalebi and gulab jamun, alongside healthier choices of fruits such as watermelon, oranges, papaya, and bananas, catering to different tastes while encouraging fruit intake for micronutrient diversity.

Item Energy (Kcal) Protein (g) Carbohydrate (g) Total Fat (g) Dietary Fiber (g) Total Free Sugars (g) Sodium (mg) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)
Jalebi 300.0 4.19 62.36 4.31 1.0 42.77 146.0 131.0 0.72
Watermelon 30.0 0.6 7.6 0.2 0.4 6.2 1.0 7.0 0.24
Banana 89.0 1.1 23.0 0.3 2.6 12.0 1.0 5.0 0.26

Sustainable Practices

In addition to sourcing from local vendors, JSS AHER actively implements sustainability practices in its food management systems:

  • Seasonal Menus: Our student represented hostel review committee designs menus based on the availability of seasonal ingredients, thereby maximizing freshness and nutritional value while minimizing environmental impact.
  • Waste Reduction Initiatives: We have established protocols for reducing food waste, including composting and donating surplus food to local charities, contributing to the community’s well-being.

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research is dedicated to fostering a sustainable food culture on campus through our sourcing policies and partnerships with local suppliers. Our FSSAI certification is a testament to our commitment to providing safe, high-quality, and nutritious food options for our students and staff. By prioritizing local and organic ingredients, we not only enhance the dining experience but also contribute positively to the environment and community. JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) is committed to promoting health, sustainability, and nutrition through its food service operations. Our hostels prioritize providing hygienic, nutritious vegetarian meals at nominal rates while adhering to the highest standards of food safety and quality. A crucial aspect of this commitment involves our sourcing policies, which emphasize the procurement of local and organic ingredients for all meals.

Sourcing Policies and Local Partnerships at JSS AHER

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) is committed to providing sustainable food choices that prioritize health, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. A critical aspect of our food sourcing policy is to ensure that all meals served on campus, including those in hostels, food courts, and canteens, utilize high-quality ingredients procured from local vendors and farmers. This commitment is further validated by our adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.


Local Sourcing Policies

At JSS AHER, we prioritize sourcing ingredients from local and regional suppliers. This approach not only supports the local economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation. Key elements of our sourcing policies include:

  • Partnerships with Local Farmers: We maintain strong partnerships with local farmers and vendors who supply fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and other ingredients. This collaboration ensures that our ingredients are seasonal, fresh, and sustainably grown.
  • Quality Assurance: All ingredients sourced from local vendors undergo rigorous quality checks to meet the standards established by FSSAI. This guarantees that the food served is safe, nutritious, and of the highest quality.

FSSAI Certification

  • JSS AHER has obtained FSSAI Certification for all its hostels, food courts, and canteens. This certification signifies our compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act and regulations, ensuring that: Safety and Quality Standards: All food products served on campus meet the prescribed safety and quality standards set forth by FSSAI, enhancing the reputation of our institution and the trust of our students and staff.
  • Hygiene and Safety Practices: The FSSAI certification ensures that proper hygiene and safety practices are followed in food handling and preparation, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
  • Discouragement of Adulteration: The FSSAI framework discourages food adulteration and promotes the sale of safe and authentic food products, reinforcing our commitment to the health and well-being of our community.
  • JSS AHER has obtained FSSAI License for all the Hostel Mess, food courts & Canteens and the details of License are as detailed below:

    Institution License Details

    Sl. No Institution License No Validity Period
    I. JSSAHER – College of Pharmacy Campus, Mysuru
    1 JSSAHER Hostel for Men 11223335000149 04.04.2024 to 04.05.2027
    2 JSSAHER Hostel for Women 11223335000150 04.04.2024 to 04.05.2027
    II. JSSAHER – Medical Institutions Campus, Mysuru
    3 JSSAHER Hostel for Women – D Block 11223335000151 04.04.2024 to 04.05.2027
    4 JSSAHER Hostel for Women – Mess Block 11223335000152 04.04.2024 to 04.05.2027
    5 JSSAHER Hostel for Men 11223335000153 04.04.2024 to 04.05.2027
    6 JSSAHER PG Hostel (Guest House) 11223335000154 27.03.2024 to 04.05.2027
    III. JSSAHER – JSS Hospital Campus, Mysuru
    7 JSSAHER PG Resident Hostel 11223323000181 04.04.2024 to 04.05.2027

    Sourcing Distribution Pattern at JSS AHER

    JSS AHER implements a structured and responsible distribution pattern for purchasing food and related products, focusing on local and sustainable sources. The procurement of food grains, milk, fruits, vegetables, and bakery items is carried out according to the following principles:

    1. Collaborations with Sister Institutions:

      JSS AHER collaborates with JSS Enterprises for grocery purchases, ensuring a unified and efficient procurement process that supports local economies.

    2. Partnerships with Local Trusted Suppliers:

      We actively engage with local suppliers for fruits, vegetables, and bakery items, ensuring that our ingredients are fresh, seasonal, and sourced from nearby farms. This not only fosters community relationships but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

    3. Government-Identified Agencies:

      Our sourcing also includes partnerships with government-identified agencies for essential items such as gas, milk, and related products. This ensures the procurement of quality products that meet regulatory standards.

Distribution Pattern of Food and related products purchase at JSSAHER.

The distribution pattern of hostel purchases for the year 2023-24 is as follows: The Hostels functioning under the ambit of JSSAHER ensures responsibility in providing hygienic nutritious vegetarian food at very nominal rates and purchases the required food grains, Milk, Fruits, Vegetables Bakery items in the following pattern:

  • with the sister concerned institutes (JSS Enterprises - groceries)
  • with local trusted suppliers (Fruits, Vegetables, Bakery Items)
  • Govt identified agencies (Gas, Milk & related Product)

The distribution pattern of hostel purchases during the year 2023-24 is depicted below in %.

  • Sister Institutions (Groceries)[40%]
  • Local Trusted Suppliers (Fruits, Vegetables, Bakery Items) [48%]
  • Government Identified Agencies (Gas, Milk, Related Products) [12%]

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research is dedicated to fostering a sustainable food environment on campus through strategic sourcing policies. By prioritizing local and organic ingredients and obtaining FSSAI certification, we ensure that our food service operations not only meet high safety and quality standards but also contribute positively to the health and well-being of our community.

Collaboration with local communities

The College as a body always extends support to organize events aimed at promotion conservation and sustainable utilization of the land, including forests and wildlife. The Department of Pharmacognosy of the college annually organizes such events to promote the conservation of medicinal plants in the Nilgiris Biosphere. Also a handy booklet on “Food Adulteration and Safety” consists of extensive information about adulteration and identification was distributed to public.