Just four months after launching a breakfast scheme for conservancy workers, the Coimbatore Corporation is exploring the possibility of replacing it with lunch following feedback from sanitation staff that the morning meal was not meeting their needs.

The proposal emerged after a survey conducted among conservancy workers found that many preferred lunch and that a considerable quantity of the breakfast supplied under the scheme was being wasted. Mayor R. Ranganayaki said discussions had been initiated on introducing lunch instead of breakfast.

The food scheme, launched in February, covers 9,454 conservancy workers engaged in sanitation work across the city. Of them, 9,325 workers receive breakfast, while 129 workers are provided dinner.

The programme is part of a State government initiative announced in August 2025 to provide free meals to sanitation workers through local bodies. The Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department subsequently granted administrative sanction for implementation of the scheme and directed local bodies to engage agencies with kitchen facilities for preparing and distributing food.

In Coimbatore, the Corporation awarded a three-year contract to Foodsutra Art of Spices. The scheme is estimated to cost ₹43.54 crore for three years.

The scheme came under scrutiny last month after a conservancy worker alleged that a worm was found in the food supplied. Following an inquiry, the Corporation imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh on the contractor.

Corporation officials said discussions on switching to a lunch-based model were at a preliminary stage and that a decision would be taken after examining the feedback received from workers.