MPR Chairman: Vegetable Charity Helps Strengthen Community Food Security

Banyumas (ANTARA) - MPR RI Chairman Ahmad Muzani stated that the vegetable charity programme initiated by the private sector can help strengthen community food security while encouraging healthy living habits. “This is something to be proud of, as it encourages the public to live healthily by consuming vegetables and protein,” Muzani said while inaugurating the Vegetable Charity Board at Ethos Digital Valley, Gewok Hamlet, Karanggintung Village, Sumbang Subdistrict, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Sunday. He explained that the vegetable charity programme, initiated by PT Etos Kreatif Indonesia through the Yayasan Rintisan Amal Bunda, has reached approximately 31,000 beneficiaries. Aid distribution is carried out routinely three times a week, helping the public meet their daily food needs. According to him, the programme not only impacts nutritional fulfilment but also alleviates household expenditure burdens. “With this assistance, the public can be helped, so they do not need to shop too frequently for vegetable and protein needs,” he said. He stated that the programme’s funding scheme also shows positive development, as initially nearly all financing, or about 95 percent, came from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, but now public participation continues to increase. “Now, around 60 percent is still covered by the company and 40 percent has become public participation through the vegetable charity movement,” he said. He assessed that this collaboration serves as a good example that can be replicated in other regions. He encouraged more private companies to get involved in similar social activities. “If more companies do things like this, the impact will certainly be greater for the public,” he said. He reminded of the importance of education for children as the key to improving welfare in the future. Parents are urged to continue encouraging their children to go to school and learn. “It is through education that children can become better than their parents,” he said. “This programme helps improve nutritional intake while reducing family snacking costs,” he said. Muzani admitted to being inspired by the vegetable charity concept, which he considered simple yet far-reaching in impact. “I never thought before that vegetables could be a form of charity, and this becomes an inspiration to help the public directly,” he said. He said public participation in the programme continues to increase over time, as initially only about 5 percent, now reaching around 40 percent after running for several years. According to him, the programme also provides opportunities for local farmers to share their harvest yields with the surrounding community. “This becomes a way to share goodness while strengthening social solidarity,” he said. Muzani hopes the vegetable charity programme can continue to develop and serve as inspiration for other regions in strengthening community food security. Meanwhile, Chair of the Yayasan Rintisan Amal Bunda, Anita Ratna Faoziyah, said the vegetable charity programme began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response to public needs. “We want one aid package to suffice for one family’s needs, so recipients only need to add carbohydrates,” she said. She stated that the distributed food ingredients come from local farmers in the Banyumas and Cilacap areas, while empowering them through the distribution of harvest yields. Currently, the programme has reached several areas in Cilacap and is starting to expand to Greater Banyumas with routine distributions every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. “We involve volunteers in the distribution so that this programme continues to run and reach more recipients,” she said.