NESFAS

From forest to lunchbox...🥗 Our Community-led school meals initiative story just made it to The Guardian! 🎉 Read more, Link in bio 👆 #schoolmealsmatter #theguardian #childrenoftodayarethefutureoftomorrow

At Mei-Ramew Café (@meiramew_cafe ), Dial Muktieh showcases the slow, careful ways of Bhoi cuisine. Her knowledge of home-cooked meals shines through in her indigenous cooking methods and use of locally available ingredients. Mei-Ramew Café began as a small venture she started with her husband, serving rice and tea outside the village church. Today, her family members help man the desk, serve food, and cook in the bamboo-thatched kitchen. “There’s nothing like the taste of freshly foraged fish!” she says, sharing how much she loves eating doh shalynnai: small fish fried until crisp and golden brown. After collaborating with the North East Society for Agroecology Support (@NESFAS ), she began experimenting with a wider range of ingredients, creating balanced meals that reflect the region’s traditional and foraged foods. Learn more about the story of Mei-Ramew Café, and the indigenous resilience and adaptive wisdom it represents, in our feature ‘In Meghalaya’s Khweng, Dial Muktieh Remembers Foraging at Dusk’ by Nidaphi Hynniewta (@nidaphi ). Read the full #InsideMyKitchen story on @TheLocavore.in website—link in bio. Photos by @NESFAS and @ChefTZac

A journey of learning and exchange.. 🌱 Students of Sociology and Social Work from Girijananda Chowdhury University, Guwahati, Assam, visited NESFAS for an organisational exposure visit. Kong Naphishisha Nongsiej, Associate, NESFAS, shared insights into the journey of NESFAS and its ongoing initiatives. The session also encouraged interactive discussions on the importance of Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems. 🌱 #exposurevisit #indigenousfoodsystems #exchangeprograms #meghalayadiaries

From farm to table, the journey has officially begun 🥗 Our team has now subscribed to the Mei-Ramew Fresh Roots initiative. 🌱 Supporting local farmers by sourcing tasty, healthy and locally grown produce facilitated by the Mei-Ramew State Agroecology Co-operative Society. From fresh greens to nutrient-rich indigenous pulses, every basket is a step towards strengthening local livelihoods and keeping Indigenous food systems alive. Stay tuned for more from our Fresh Roots journey!🎉 #meiramew #freshroots #supportlocalfarmers #localgreens

School children of Mawstep Presbyterian LP School and RCLP/UP Laitlyndop happily enjoying the nutritious meals served at their school, sharing smiles and laughter over every plate. These wholesome meals not only keep the children healthy and energised but also support their learning and growth, helping build a brighter and healthier future for the young minds of Mawstep and Laitlyndop. 🌱🥗 #weareindigenous #schoolmealsmatter #naturebasedsolutions

We are delighted to share that Mei-Ramew Cafés have recently been featured in Condé Nast Traveller. This recognition is a celebration not only of the café but of the Indigenous food systems, local farmers, traditional knowledge holders, and communities whose stories and flavours continue to inspire our journey. 🎉 #meiramewcafemeghalaya #sustainablelivelihoods #naturebasedsolutions Read more, Link in bio 👆

A late post as always but how could I go on without mentioning all the fun stuff that's happened. So @seeti.movement happened back in March and honestly speaking it was one of the most fun memorable events I've done in quite a while. Teamed up with Reuben Sooting for this and although we had very little prep time to conceptualize what we wanted to present on the plates , safe to say we made a kickass team. I'd be remiss if I didn't give a big shoutout to @nesfas as well. From helping to bring together the different communities to showcase khasi culture and also hooking us up with a plethora of local herbs and spices to amp up the flavors. This is maybe just another rung on the ladder for the Meghalaya culinary scene but boy oh boy did we ever leave a mark. Also thank you to the @thebigforkers and HH @priyadarshini_raje_scindia for curating and hosting such an amazing concept

For the Woman Farmer Project—in partnership with @TheDocSociety Climate Story Unit—we are collaborating with organisations that have worked across our three focus regions on intersectional issues of food security and sovereignty, livelihoods, ecology, and climate: ⛰️ Meghalaya: The North East Society for Agroecology Support (@NESFAS ) A Shillong-based platform dedicated to revitalising, safeguarding, and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems. 🌱 Madhya Pradesh: The Network for Conserving Central India (@conserving_ci ) A collaborative platform working across the Central Indian Highlands to conserve biodiversity, strengthen livelihoods, and support sustainable development. 🌊 Tamil Nadu: Dakshin Foundation (@dakshin_seas ) A Bengaluru-based non-profit working to inform and catalyse conservation and natural resource management in India’s coastal and marine ecosystems. These incredible organisations will serve as our local Knowledge Partners, and help shape priorities grounded in lived realities and local concerns, facilitate ethical access rooted in trust, support cultural mediation and contextual accuracy, and ensure stories return to the respective communities in meaningful ways. Learn more about the the Woman Farmer Project and our Knowledge Partners on The Locavore website—link in bio.

We had an engaging and insightful session today, and NESFAS extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Silvester Phanbuh, BDO, Mawpat Block, for taking the time to share his valuable insights and perspectives on behalf of the Block Office. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening field-level partnerships and community-driven initiatives. The session concluded with a productive strategy discussion focused on fostering stronger convergence and long-term impact for communities. #partnershipbuildingactivity #convergence #communityledinitiatives

Invitation to Tender for the supply of Solar Powered AC Mini Grid Systems for community spaces in Meghalaya. Read more, Link in bio 👆

On 4th May, 2026, Janak P Singh, Sr. Associate, Strategic Partnership, represented NESFAS in an engaging session with students from the Commerce Department at St. Edmund’s College. Invited by the Department of Master of Social Work and the placement cell, he shared his journey from a Commerce background to pursuing MSW and how this transition shaped his role as a social change practitioner working on nature-based livelihoods and community-led initiatives. The session evolved into an interactive dialogue, with students reflecting on their aspirations and exploring how an MSW degree can complement their skills especially in building social enterprises and sustainable business models. Discussions on initiatives like Mei-Ramew Cafes and the growing value of the Mei-Ramew trademark highlighted pathways for impact-driven careers, inspiring students to think beyond conventional trajectories. #socialwork #shillongdiaries #careeropportunity

Indigenous voices take the stage in New York 🌾 Mr. Phrang Roy, Coordinator, The Indigenous Partnership (TIP), delivered an important address at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) side event in New York. #indigenousvoicesmatter #naturebasedsolutions #indigenouspeoplesfoodsystems Read more, Link in bio 👆