"It is time for us to pay attention to one another and to laud the people, who produce food, on the frontlines of this pandemic," Stephen Rudgard, the FAO representative in Indonesia, stated.
The FAO also urged people to shop sensibly, follow healthy diets, and be wary while handling food, according to a written statement issued by FAO Indonesia and received here on Thursday.
Overall, the FAO delivered eight appeals to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
First, the FAO urged the public to care for all the "food heroes", such as smallholder farmers and fishers, as well as truck drivers and staff at markets and supermarkets that bring food for the community during the pandemic.
Second, the FAO has encouraged people to procure food from small businesses and shops to support their livelihoods during such trying times.
The organization’s third appeal pertained to encouraging people to wear masks, ensuring safe physical distance, and maintaining hand hygiene while buying food from markets or supermarkets.
Fourth, the FAO called on the people to shop sensibly since going overboard and purchasing surfeit fresh food at one time may mean that some would get spoilt and hence be a wastage of money.
Fifth, the people are advised to not stockpile food at home, as the COVID-19 pandemic has not directly impacted food production.
Sixth, the FAO urges people to maintain a healthy diet by consuming food that is nutritious, diverse, balanced, and safe.
Seventh, the people are urged to always wash their hands before and after handling food at home and to follow good household cleaning and food processing practices.
Eighth, the FAO has also appealed to the community to be helpful in accordance with their respective abilities to share food or support food banks, community groups, or charities that provide free food for vulnerable people.
The FAO continues to work with the government to provide advice and support on measures to lower the impact of COVID-19 on Indonesia’s food systems, including conducting assessments and analyzing options for policy changes. Related news: Ensure national rice stock data is accurate, Jokowi tells officials
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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