A new millet-focused canteen has opened at the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation head office, bringing millet-based breakfast options directly to municipal employees, officials and visitors.

The Millet Mart, located on the ground floor of the GVMC head office, was established through a joint GVMC–MEPMA initiative and inaugurated on October 6.

The outlet offers millet-based breakfast items along with Araku coffee, creating a convenient setting for people visiting or working at the municipal headquarters to incorporate millet foods into their daily meals.

The initiative also has a women's livelihood component. Management of the Millet Mart has been entrusted to K. Venkatalakshmi, a member of the Vijayadurga Self-Help Group associated with MEPMA.

East constituency MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, who inaugurated the outlet, highlighted programmes aimed at helping women achieve greater economic independence. He encouraged GVMC employees, officials and members of the public to use the new facility.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and other municipal and district officials also participated in the programme.

The development adds another model for promoting millet consumption through institutional spaces. Andhra Pradesh has already pursued other millet-food initiatives, including Araku Kouni, which showcases traditional millet dishes from tribal communities in the Araku region.

By combining millet foods with an SHG-managed outlet, the Visakhapatnam initiative connects nutrition awareness, everyday millet consumption and women's livelihood opportunities within a single local model.