Long Queues as Residents Flock to Affordable Food Market in Bandung, 10,000 Packages Prepared

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG – The atmosphere at the Kodim 0618 Bandung courtyard was different this morning, Wednesday (25/2/2026). Hundreds of residents, mostly women, were queuing to buy affordable food packages for Rp 60,000.

They arrived as early as 8:00 AM from various sub-districts in the city of Bandung to Kodim 0618. The residents were willing to jostle for position to get affordable food in the face of high prices for basic necessities in traditional markets.

The affordable food market was held by Masyarakat Tionghoa Peduli (MTP) in collaboration with Kodim 0618. Also present was the Inspectorate of Kodam III Siliwangi, Brigadier General TNI Nurul Yakin.

One of the residents from Ancol Sona sub-district strongly supports the affordable food market. She believes that it can help low-income people buy food.

“It’s good, it helps low-income people, the prices are affordable. One package contains 5 kilograms of rice, one litre of oil and five packets of noodles for Rp 60,000,” she said at Kodim 0618 Bandung, Wednesday (25/2/2026).

She said that the price of rice in traditional markets can reach Rp 15,500 to Rp 16,500 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the price of Minyakita cooking oil can reach Rp 19,000 per litre and one packet of noodles costs Rp 3,500.

“Buying affordable food for Rp 60,000, if you buy it at the market it would cost Rp 100,000,” she said.

Sona added that she arrived at Kodim 0618 at 8:00 AM and not long after she received a food package. She hopes that the activity can continue to be carried out to help the community.

The Coordinator of the Masyarakat Tionghoa Peduli (MTP) activity, Herman Widjaja, said that together with Chinese organisations and associations in the city of Bandung, they are holding the affordable food market again. He said that they have prepared 10,000 affordable food packages which will be distributed at 10 locations.

“In today’s initial activity at Kodim Kota Bandung, we have distributed approximately 1,100 food packages. In addition to distributing packages, we also provide free health services for the local community,” he said.

He said that the affordable food market is held regularly every year to ease the burden on people in need. He expressed his gratitude to the donors involved in the activity.