City Intensifies Locations, Product Variations and Partners for Cheap Food Program

Midway through the month of Ramadan 1445 Hijri, the Jakarta Provincial Government continued the Cheap Staple Food Program to meet the daily needs of residents. The program was held this time at the LRT Depot, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Thursday (3/28).

Residents are enthusiastic about today's cheap staple program

Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono, took his time to visit the cheap staple food market at the LRT Depot together with City Secretary's Economy and Finance Assistant, Sri Haryati; Jakarta Maritime, Agriculture and Food Security Agency (KPKP) Head, Suharini Eliawati; and North Jakarta Mayor, Ali Maulana Hakim.

On that occasion, the Acting Governor, appreciated PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) and LRT Jakarta as partners who supported the provision of food this time, as well as Jakarta Branch Bank Indonesia representatives who also gave support in the form of facilitating the implementation of activities and food distribution.

Residents Storm Cheap Grocery Market in Semanan

"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), residents are enthusiastic about today's cheap staple program. As we can see, there are 3,000 staple food packages, consisting of regular basic food packages and plus basic food packages that have additional beef as a source of animal protein," he expressed, in the Jakarta Government's press release.

Further, the Jakarta Government continues to innovate and improve it, where the location, product variations, and partners will be intensified soon.

"So, the first thing we will do is utilize Jakarta Government assets as food distribution locations, thus they are easily accessible to the community and can be properly conditioned to provide comfort. There are also additional types of food, either in package or retail form. Afterward, we will expand our supporting partners, thus the food packages available increased," he explained.

Jakarta KPKP Agency Head, Suharini Eliawati explained that Perumda Pasar Jaya and Perumda Dharma Jaya also provided food in the retail form at below-market prices. The food available in retail form is food of animal origin (chicken eggs, chicken meat, beef, squid slices, dory fish, etc.) and food needed for Idul Fitri (syrup, biscuits, peeled nuts, chilies, and onions red).

She added food prices in Jakarta were observed to be experiencing an increase in several commodities, such as rice, chicken eggs, chicken meat, and sugar. However, the price hike was still deemed reasonable considering that before Idul Fitri, there was often an increase in demand in the market.

"Food availability in Jakarta is in sufficient condition so residents don't need to panic buy but just buy food according to their needs, as our food availability is met. Then, we also conducted a field survey, and it turned out that residents also want various retailers to provide cheap stock, apart from those in Dharma Jaya and Pasar Jaya," she added.

One of the residents from Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Sumi (40) looked very enthusiastic. Besides easing the burden of daily necessities, it could also allow her family to get adequate nutrition.

"Alhamdulillah, I'm so happy to be able to get cheap groceries. Families at home are happy if food needs can be met, including my children's nutrition. Especially before Idul Fitri, prices will increase. With this program, it can lighten our burden," she closed.