Foodbank of Indonesia Encourages Women's Movement for National Awakening

The Indonesian Food Bank Network consisting of Food Banks in 43 Cities/Regencies and 230 sub-districts held its first hybrid Congress.

The Congress held at Museum Kebangkitan Nasional was attended by a number of national figures, including, Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Hidayat Nur Wahid, Director of Food & Agriculture Bappenas, Anang Noegroho, Professor of Food and Nutrition IPB, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Sulaeman, Lecturer of Psychology UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Dr. Risatianti Kolopaking, M.Si, founder of Foodbank of Indonesia, M. Hendro Utomo, and representatives of the business world resulted in an agreement that an organized women's movement in the food sector is important for the revival of the Indonesian nation.

Currently, the global food condition is in a state that requires serious attention.

Inflation and restrictions on food flows as well as climate change have made millions of people across the globe vulnerable to food.

Inflation, rising food prices and restrictions on the flow of staple foods such as wheat, which have begun to be implemented by several countries such as India and Slovakia, have caused a food crisis in several regions of the world in the near future.

"We will face a food crisis, due to the impact of climate change and global issues that will close the flow of food," said social, environmental and circular economy observer Dr. Hanafi Guciano.

National Awakening Day is commemorated on May 20 every year. Historically, the National Awakening was born along with the establishment of the Boedi Oetomo organization on May 20, 1908.

The birth of Budi Oetomo was a milestone in the struggle through organizational means, resulting in the birth of a nation called Indonesia.

Foodbank of Indonesia Network is here with the spirit of struggle to open access to food through organized means.

The founder of the Foodbank of Indonesia Network, M. Hendro Utomo said that the FOI Network encourages the formation of food bank organizations in the regions as modern food barns pioneered by women to anticipate the food crisis and awaken the nation in the future.

"Currently, the FOI Network is encouraging the movement of 8,412 volunteers working at the grassroots level in 43 cities, districts and 230 sub-districts in Indonesia, 85% of whom are women, said Hendro Utomo.

In the same place, Dr. Risatianti Kolopaking said that the leadership of women and mothers, especially in the food sector, is very important.

According to her, women are the ones who make decisions about food, from collecting, processing, to accompanying children and families to eat, which will create the future generation for the Awakening of the Indonesian Nation.

"The 1000 Mothers Movement, initiated by FOI since 2020, namely activities from mothers, for mothers, and with mothers, is a movement for the awakening of women through food that needs to be encouraged and appreciated," said Dr. Risa.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the MPR, Hidayat Nur Wahid, said that regulations were needed to protect the movement of food bank organizations that aim to reduce hunger and reduce waste.

"This food bank movement is important, to encourage food justice in society, therefore the state must support by preparing legal instruments to protect the operations of food bank organizations." Said Hidayat Nur Wahid.

In line with the view of Prof. Ahmad Sulaeman who emphasized the importance of "sovereignty of the mouth" which means encouraging local food consumption as part of the revival of Indonesian food sovereignty, Anang Noegroho also conveyed the importance of realizing nutritious, inclusive and sustainable food.

The 7th Anniversary of FOI is a momentum to strengthen the network of food bank organizations in Indonesia while encouraging prosperity, fighting hunger towards the Revival of a 100% Independent Indonesia.

It is known that Foodbank of Indonesia is a social organization that is present to help overcome food disparities in society.

In practice, FOI is a bridge between people with excess food and people in need.

As stated in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution paragraphs 1 and 2, an independent nation is one that is sovereign over its own food and is able to organize to form the dream of a just and prosperous society.

FOI also supports countries in achieving food sovereignty as targeted by SDG's (Sustainable Development Goals) number 2, namely to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. In addition, FOI also supports the achievement of SDG's number 12, namely responsible production and consumption patterns. FOI programs include Mentari Bangsaku, Sayap Dari Ibu, Kebun Pangan Komunitas, and Dapur Pangan FO.