Subject Area : Food and Health

City : Gandhinagar

Why food and health is important?

Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. The foods that are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fat, keep the body feeling full longer, providing enough energy to focus and stay alert throughout the entire day.

Why do we need fruits?

As per the discussion with nutritionist Dr. Pahili Bhatt, every person should include three fruits in their daily diets. The seasonal fruits are recommended more, as they contain essential nutrients required for that particular weather conditions.

The fruits should be consumed separately and not combined with any meals. This pattern can help in easy absorption of fruit values in your body.

Concerns of the students

The availability of fresh fruits in the vicinity is an issue.

Non-availability of storage space leads to avoiding buying fruits, as they are perishable.

Most students stated, they are not able to finish big fruits alone.

Most don’t have knowledge about which fruit to buy in which season and at what price.

The weather conditions (summer) are not favorable to go to market and buy fruits.

The students don't feel motivated enough to go to far away market to just buy fruits.

The daily schedule of the students is not fixed.

The alternatives of the fruits (juices, shakes, etc.) are not that appreciated by the students as they lack the texture and feel of a real fruit.

The high price range of the fruits makes it non affordable for most students.

Context

Gandhinagar is a institutional city of Gujarat. The majority of population comprised of government employees and students coming from states such as Bihar, Kolkata, Orissa, kerala, Punjab and various other states. There are about 32 government, private and central board colleges and universities in the city of gandhinagar. The institutional areas are spreaded in three zones in the district, away from the residential areas and market places.

The students coming into the city live either in the hostel facilities within the college campus or in rental homes and Paying guest provided by the locals, which also has food along with lodging facilities. Many students also prefer to cook for themselves. The catering services in these institutes try to provide most nutritious food within the affordable price for the students. The canteens in the campus have limited menu circling around fast foods mostly fried snack which can be unhealthy for daily consumption. These food items provided may not be sufficient to fulfill the nutrition requirement for a student’s health.

The students usually have unscheduled working hours which makes it difficult for them to find time to go to the market to buy fruits. The odd eating times, students missing meals etc. leads to adopting unhealthy eating choices available in the form of fast food stalls in nearby areas or midnight fast food delivery from around infocity and Koba area. The laziness can also be one of the issues to not go to far markets to just buy fruits.

The city old sectors which settled in earlier phases of development, comprise of major markets, selling vegetables, fruits and other amenities. The fruits and vegetable stalls in institutional areas tend to charge more as they are the only vendor in the area. Also, due to unavailability of storage facilities for fruits cause the avoidance of buying.

Categorization of fruits

Each season offers different types of fruits, consumption of which can help in maintaining the bodily imbalances. However with advancement in technology, all fruits are grown through out the year in green houses.

Journey of fruits from farm to customers

A fruit travels the following steps to reach the consumer:

Farmlands ----collected by wholesale vendors----- Transport person----via truck-----Wholesale market in all big cities ----via tampoo/rickshaw/hand cart----- Local vendors/Big Bazaar/Nature’s basket/Other supplier

Local vendors----- via hand cart/cycle/basket on head ----- consumers

Supermarket-----Bought from the store/home delivery----- consumers

Nature’s Basket/Big basket/Other online services-----Home delivery-----consumers