Project summary

We are running a one-month pilot in two government schools in Bhutan to integrate vegan meals into the school feeding system and assess health outcomes under controlled conditions.

A closed cohort of 50 students will shift to fully vegan meals during the pilot period and undergo before-and-after medical blood tests conducted by the Bhutan Ministry of Health. This cohort is designed to generate clear health and nutrition data.

In parallel, the broader student population of 1,200 students will receive fully vegan meals at least three times per week, allowing us to test kitchen operations, student acceptance, and logistics at scale without disrupting the entire system.

The project also includes hands-on training of school kitchen staff, ensuring skills and menus remain usable after the pilot. Findings will be documented in a practical case study to inform national rollout across Bhutan’s 467 schools.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

Goals

1. Demonstrate feasibility of replacing animal-based school meals with vegan meals at scale.

2. Validate health safety and outcomes through government-run medical tests.

3. Build institutional capacity by training existing kitchen staff.

4. Create evidence to support national rollout across Bhutan’s school system.

How will we achieve this

1. Redesign existing menus into nutritionally complete vegan meals, aligned with local tastes.

2. Prepare meals on-site while training kitchen staff hands-on, not through manuals.

3. Conduct pre- and post-intervention blood tests with the Ministry of Health.
   

How will this funding be used?

Total budget: USD 5,000 (30 days)
This funding covers the on-ground execution of the pilot by two experts travelling from India to Bhutan.

Funds will be used for:

• Travel for two project leads from India to Bhutan.

• Accommodation, food, and local transport for the full 30-day implementation period.

• Professional chef fees for on-site menu redesign, cooking, and kitchen staff training.

• Printing and distribution of a localized plant-based starter guide for:

  • School administrators

  • Kitchen staff

  • Students

  • Relevant government departments
    

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

• Naman Dedhia
  Eight years of experience coordinating cross-country programmes across Asia. Background in computer science, working at the intersection of technology, policy, and networking. Has led regional campaigns, built partnerships with decision-makers, and coordinated education and policy work.

• Jayalaxmi Rai
  Plant-based chef with 10 years of experience training chefs in schools, five-star hotels, and hospitality groups across India, Nepal, Dubai, and Bhutan. Has supported institutions in shifting fully to plant-based menus, including work at a UNICEF-led summit and youth climate conferences.

• Nutritionist and Doctor
  Both have prior experience with school meal programs and plant-based nutrition, supporting menu design and health monitoring.

We are partnering with a local Bhutanese nonprofit for future expansion.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

Outcomes, even if it fails

• 50 students complete a fully monitored vegan meal program.

• 1,200 students and 2 schools are exposed to vegan meals multiple times per week.

• Kitchen staff gain practical skills that remain in place.

• Clear data is generated to inform future program design.

National rollout will depend on health outcomes. If results are positive, we will use existing government relationships to push for system-wide adoption. If results are mixed, the data still reduces uncertainty for future decisions.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

USD 500 raised from individual donors.