During the Pandemic, FAO asks people to buy food from small businesses and appreciate farmers
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, FAO appeals to people to buy their food from local small businesses, to appreciate the farmers who produce the food, to shop sensibly, to eat healthy diets, and to be careful when handling food.
“It is time for us to pay attention to one another and to appreciate the people at the frontline in this pandemic who produce our food, “ said Stephen Rudgard, FAO Representative in Indonesia.
The 8 appeals that FAO is promoting include:
-Keep a warm place in your heart for the food heroes during this pandemic, like smallholder farmers and fishers, as well as the truck drivers and staff at markets/supermarkets that bring the food to us.
-Buy food from small businesses and shops to support their livelihoods in these difficult times.
When you buy food from markets/supermarkets, wear a mask, try to ensure physical distancing, and keep your hands sanitized.
-Shop sensibly – buying too much fresh food at one time may mean that some will spoil, which wastes your money.
-There is no need to stockpile food at home as COVID-19 has not directly affected food production.
-Maintain a healthy diet for you and your family as much as you can.
-Wash your hands before and after handling food at home, and follow good household cleaning and cooking practices.
-Please do share your food, or support food banks, community groups, or charities that provide free food to vulnerable people, if you can. Generosity is important during this crisis.
FAO continues to work with the Government to provide advice and support on measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19 to Indonesia’s food systems, including conducting assessments and analyzing options for changes in policy.