Collaboration with Foodbank of Indonesia and IPB Food Bank, Agrianita IPB University Invites Indonesian Mothers to Stop Food Waste
In commemoration of World Food Day, Agrianita IPB University held a national webinar titled “Stop Food Waste.” The online event, attended by more than 700 participants, called on the public, especially mothers, to be more mindful in managing food consumption and reducing food waste.
Chairperson of Agrianita, Retna Widayawati, emphasized that the issue of food loss and food waste requires collective attention. She expressed hope that the Stop Food Waste movement would not remain a mere campaign but transform into concrete action, one of which is through collaboration with the Foodbank of Indonesia (FoI) and the IPB Food Bank.
“Mothers play a crucial role in reducing food waste. From planning grocery shopping, processing, to serving food efficiently, ensuring nothing is thrown away,” said Retna.
Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria, underscored that food waste is a global threat. “We all have an important role in saving one-third of the world’s food that goes to waste. Conserving food means contributing to climate change mitigation and ensuring resource sustainability,” he remarked.
Serving as moderator, Dr Meti Ekayani from IPB’s Faculty of Economics and Management explained that this webinar is part of Agrianita’s ongoing initiatives focused on environmental and sustainability issues. “We hope this collective action continues beyond the webinar and grows into real collaboration,” she stated.
IPB University Nutrition Expert, Prof Drajat Martianto, highlighted that food loss and food waste represent a major paradox amid Indonesia’s ongoing stunting problem. “Losses from wasted food reach IDR 231–551 trillion per year, or about 4–5 percent of the national GDP. The wasted nutrients could have saved many lives,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Hendro Utomo, founder of the Foodbank of Indonesia, emphasized the importance of revitalizing the traditional concept of lumbung pangan desa (village food barns) as Indonesia’s cultural heritage. “Food banks help build fair food access and strengthen community solidarity,” he said.
Another speaker from IPB University, Dr Yusalina, Chief of the IPB Food Bank explained that a campus-based food bank aims to support student food security and promote a zero-food-waste campus.
As the closing speaker, Sujimin, founder of the Jimmy Hantu Foundation, reminded that food waste is not only about leftover food but also about behavior. “We must learn to respect food and understand its nutritional value. Stopping food waste begins with a change in attitude,” he advised.
The webinar served as a reminder that efforts to strengthen food security do not always begin with large-scale initiatives but can start with small steps at home. The Save Food Movement initiated by Agrianita IPB University is expected to inspire change and raise awareness across Indonesian society. (Ez) (IAAS/MRM)
