Kerala Unveils Modernised Food Streets to Boost Food Tourism and Public Health

Kochi: As part of the Modernisation of Street Food project, Kerala now boasts fully developed food streets at four locations: Shankhumugham in Thiruvananthapuram, Kasturba Nagar in Ernakulam, Beach in Kozhikode, and Kottakkunnu in Malappuram.

The Ernakulam food street is scheduled to be inaugurated on Saturday, September 27, at 6.30 p.m. by Health Minister Veena George. The event will be chaired by G.C.D.A. Chairman K. Chandran Pillai, with Kochi Mayor M. Anil Kumar delivering the keynote address.

Minister Veena George said the initiative aims to create clean and pleasant environments where quality food is prepared and served. Each modern food street has been developed at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, adhering strictly to food safety standards. Besides the department’s allocation of Rs. 1 crore, an additional Rs. 30 lakh was spent as G.C.D.A.’s contribution towards the Ernakulam food street.

The project also seeks to promote Kerala’s unique culinary traditions and develop these locations as food destinations. The minister noted that these food streets would strengthen the food tourism sector while simultaneously enhancing local employment opportunities.

The project aims to transform the image of Kerala’s street vending sector and establish it as a new tourist attraction. It also focuses on encouraging safe and hygienic food practices among vendors and the public, thereby reducing foodborne illnesses and improving public health.

Among the four food streets, Kasturba Nagar in Ernakulam is the first to be completed. It is operated under the joint management of the Kochi Municipal Corporation and G.C.D.A., with food safety supervision vested in the Food Safety Department.