Indonesia Save Food Movement prevents 224 tons waste since 2022

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Save Food Movement, implemented in 17 provinces, has prevented about 224 tons of food from being wasted or lost, according to the National Food Agency (Bapanas).

"Since initiated in 2022, this movement has reached 17 provinces and saved over 224 tons of food, which was then distributed to more than 456 thousand people in need," Bapanas Secretary Sarwo Edhy noted in a statement cited here on Tuesday.

Despite this progress, he urged stronger synergy among regional governments; retailers; food banks; micro, small, and medium enterprises; and communities to promote responsible food management as part of Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency drive.

"Preventing food loss and food waste requires us all to align steps toward strengthening the nation's food security comprehensively," Edhy emphasized.

He further said that Indonesia risks wasting 17 percent of food at the consumer level and losing 14 percent during production and distribution, according to data from Statistics Indonesia and global estimates.

"If we can recover just five percent of the total projected food loss and waste, it would be enough to ensure food adequacy for millions," he pointed out.

Edhy highlighted that the Bapanas has taken several intervention measures to curb food waste and loss rates, including public education on responsible consumption and improving the quality and accuracy of food distribution.

Furthermore, the agency continues to enhance a digital platform allowing the public to report issues or contribute to food-saving initiatives. As of October, around 40 businesses and 23 food banks have joined the Save Food Movement to channel rescued food to those in need in both urban and remote areas.

Bapanas Director of Food and Nutrition Awareness Nita Yuliani noted that Indonesia is on the right track toward achieving food-saving targets set under the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and Sustainable Development Goal 12.

"The pressing thing to do now is to expand the reach of this agenda through stronger collaboration, particularly among retailers, as they are directly connected with the community," she said.