Karawang Regency joins national food saving movement

Karawang Regency has become the 58th regency or city out of 514 in Indonesia to commit to the ‘Gerakan Selamatkan Pangan’ (Food Saving Movement). The initiative, launched through the ‘KARAWANG AMAN’ (Anti-Food Waste Community Action) declaration, aims to strengthen food security by reducing food waste and loss.

Maino Dwi Hartono, Director of Food Availability at the National Food Agency (Bapanas), praised the local government's commitment, noting that only 17 of Indonesia's 38 provinces have currently issued formal instructions for such movements. The urgency of the initiative is highlighted by 2021 Bappenas data, which estimated that food loss and waste in Indonesia range from 23 million to 48 million tons annually. If optimized, this volume could theoretically feed between 61 million and 125 million people per year.

Karawang Regent Aep Syaepuloh emphasized that the movement must become a community habit, encouraging citizens to shop according to needs and take only what they can consume. The Indonesian government aims to reduce food waste by three to five percent annually through the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).