PKB West Java Launches Food Bank to Strengthen MSME Ecosystem
The Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the Awakening of the Nation Party (PKB) in West Java is strengthening the empowerment of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) operators. This move is marked by the establishment of an association and cooperative for warung (food stall) owners under the Food Bank initiative.
Syaiful Huda, Chairperson of the PKB DPW West Java, stated that the programme is intended for MSME operators who wish to become Food Bank partners. “Anyone can join as a Food Bank partner,” he said in Bandung on Friday, 13 March.
He explained that the programme, which was initiated two weeks prior, is now entering an institutionalisation phase. With a formal cooperative framework in place, small business operators are expected to no longer operate independently but to possess collective strength for development.
“This means we have reached the institutionalisation level. The Food Bank is now institutionalised at the warung level. Whereas previously they operated individually, now they can meet and get to know each other through this association,” he said.
As part of strengthening the ecosystem, Food Bank has prepared a series of mentoring programmes. One of the main agendas is cooking training involving professional chefs to educate warung owners.
The initiative will focus on providing guidance covering crucial aspects such as improved food hygiene, flavour standardisation, and packaging innovation. “To ensure food safety standards, maintain flavour quality to remain competitive, and improve product appearance to be more attractive and professional,” he said.
Through this, he hopes MSME operators can upgrade their business standing. “We want the quality and flavour of cooking from each warung to improve, including improvements to packaging so that their products can move up market.”
Huda emphasised that through institutionalisation, the PKB West Java is encouraging MSME operators to shift their business strategy from passive to proactive. Food stalls located in residential areas or narrow alleys are now being encouraged to actively pursue corporate and government markets.
Products from Food Bank cooperative members will eventually be marketed to various formal forums, ranging from council member meetings, regional government meetings, to events at private companies.
“The objective is clear: to increase their sales to middle-market levels. We want these MSME products to be present at corporate meetings and various major events,” he stressed.
To date, at least 350 MSME operators in Bandung City have joined this network. This figure is expected to continue growing as the Food Bank programme is a directive for all party structures and council members of the PKB across every district and city in West Java.
“This is only in Bandung City so far. The Food Bank actually exists across all districts and cities because it is an obligation for all PKB council members and DPC structures to implement it in their respective areas,” Huda concluded.