TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Peak of the FAO Indonesia campaign series for World Food Day is held today, Oct. 31, through the “Food Heroes Day” Webinar, which presents food heroes along the food chain from farmers, fishermen to community activists. The virtual event was broadcasted live by MNC Trijaya FM and FAO social media.

The COVID-19 global health crisis has been a time to reflect on things we truly cherish and our most basic needs. These uncertain times have made many of us rekindle our appreciation for a thing that some take for granted and many go without; food. Now it is more important than ever to recognize the need to support our food heroes - farmers and workers throughout the food system - who are ensuring that food makes its way from farm to fork even amid the current COVID-19 crisis.

"We pay our respects and highest appreciation to our food heroes, the farmers especially. The challenges are not easy, but we have to keep moving to provide food to more than 200 million people in Indonesia," said Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo in his recorded remarks for Food Heroes Day.

The inherent resilience of our food heroes is challenged, not only by the current pandemic situation but also by the imbalance of the food system. According to the Indonesia Ministry of Health, the rate of obesity showed an increase from 14.8 percent in 2013 to 21.8 percent in 2018. Meanwhile on the food waste issues, as reported by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2016, Indonesia is the second food waster in the world that wasted 300 kg per person per year.

The "Food Heroes Day” Webinar, held by FAO Indonesia, presents food heroes along the food chain from farmers, fishermen to community activists.

"We need smart and systemic action to get the food to those who need it and ensure its nutritious quality. We need a movement from all sectors to unleash the power of innovation to make sure people have equal access to nutritious food," said Victor Mol, FAO Representative ad interim.

World Food Day is calling for global solidarity to help all populations, and especially the most vulnerable, to recover from the crisis, and to make food systems more resilient and robust so they can withstand increasing volatility and climate shocks, deliver affordable and sustainable healthy diets for all, and decent livelihoods for food system workers.

Indonesia Deputy Health Director David Stanton said "The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has partnered for over 14 years to advance Indonesia’s self-reliance in disease control and prevention, which contribute to food security. We are proud to partner with the Government of Indonesia to strengthen community vigilance and public health while improving resilience against disease outbreaks and food security crises—to save lives and protect future generations.”

Investments in sustainable, resilient food systems with decent employment are needed. A sustainable food system must be translated into a better livelihood for all food workers and the availability of nutritious food for all people, everywhere.

This will require improved social protection schemes and new opportunities offered through digitalization and e-commerce, but also more sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the Earth’s natural resources, our health, and the climate.

The "Food Heroes Day” Webinar, held by FAO Indonesia, presents food heroes along the food chain from farmers, fishermen to community activists.

Kebun Kumara is an urban learning farm located on the outskirts of Indonesia's bustling capital city. They are supporting urban dwellers to reconnect with nature by strengthening knowledge on growing food from home.

"For us in Kebun Kumara, growing food from home is a simple action that can revive the collective consciousness surrounding food and the urgency of nurturing nature as the source of life,” Sandra said.

Food Heroes day was the peak of the World Food Day 2020 campaign to appreciate food heroes in Indonesia. Startup CEOs in food and agriculture, urban community leaders, as well as celebrities are among the speakers at a one-day virtual festival. Pahlawanpangan.com, a virtual exhibition to expose the story of Indonesia food heroes was also launched at the event.

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