INDONESIA

KeBal Healthy Food in Schools

KeBal Healthy Food in Schools

In the Indonesian capital Jakarta, almost 20 percent of children under 5 are acutely malnourished, while another 10% are overweight. 


Many families do not have access to a kitchen. So they rely upon street food that is often unhygienic and does not contain necessary nutrients for child development. 


The International NGO Mercy Corps is trying to provide families with healthier low-cost alternatives. This includes selling nutrient-rich food for primary school children.  


Sekar is a school girl from Rawasari, a low income area in Jakarta. She enjoys singing and playing sports. She’s a shy girl, but Sekar does not hesitate to declare her dream job. “Doctor…doctor.”


Sekars mother Windarti says she understands the importance of nutritious food for her children’s development, but their choices are food is limited. “Rice always rice” 


This is typical of many children in low-income areas of Jakarta. They eat a large amount of white rice and instant noodles and little fresh fruit or vegetables.  


Mercy Corps is trying to provide alternatives, chicken porridge, fruit popsicles and fresh organic fruit juices. They also add additional vitamins and minerals into rice and other foods. They started in 2009 targeting babies. Rosalina Pulubuhu is the manager of KeBal.


“We found that the babies who were given Kebal products were more healthy, taller and had more weight.”


Last year they move into primary schools. “We found they consume unhealthy snacks. That’s why we scale up our market.”


The Rawasari Tiga Pagi primary school is one of five schools who part of the program.  The food is cooked by KeBal workers and then delivered for sale in the school canteen.


Kelanawati is the school principle. 


“Many Students buy this food for their safety and health. I myself buy the food—everyday I buy the juice because I think it’s healthier compared to buying juice outside.”


KeBal also tries to make eating vegetables attractive to children, Rosalina says. “That’s why we create vegetable biscuits for the student in the school so they have a supply of vegetables.”


But for some, even the subsidized price of KeBal’s healthy food is too expensive. Their juices cost around 4,000 rupiah ($4) where as a preservative filled alternative can be brought for half that price. “Our challenge is not just selling healthy food but our challenge is changing habit which is a very big job for us but we believe we can do that.”


They seem to be having an impact on Sekar. She is very clear about what is her favorite KeBal healthy snack…..


“Grape!,” Sekar says. 






  • Indonesia
  • KeBal
  • food
  • children
  • Michelle Rimmer

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