Financial technology company Amartha is collaborating with mothers across the archipelago to improve national food security through the "Cerita Rasa" program.
"This program is a local food-based cooking competition held by Amartha nationally to improve food security," said Amartha Chief Funding Officer Julie Fauzia in a press statement in Makassar on Saturday.
He said the competition began in Sumatra and Kalimantan, and continued in Bali, Sulawesi, and Java, with more than 1,000 Amartha-supported mothers participating in the competition across the region.
According to him, each winner in each region will compete to present their signature menu in Jakarta in February 2026.
"Winners at the regional level will represent their provinces in the national level competition," he said.
Julie said this activity is an effort to strengthen the role of MSMEs in the regional economy and maintain local food.
The competition highlights 75 stories of flavors that grow from household kitchens and are resistant to sustainable consumption patterns.
"Women play a key role in processing local culinary products and preserving culinary heritage from generation to generation," he said.
According to Julie, amidst the onslaught of fast food, this is where the importance of women in maintaining culinary traditions as part of life lies.
