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What happens when ten journalists from across Indonesia are given time, mentorship and editorial space to dig deeper into food system stories?
The answer is “Jejak Kemandirian Pangan Lokal” – The Trace of Local Foods’ Self Reliance, a book that brings hidden food narratives into the national conversation and shows how informed journalism can drive transformation.
In recent years, mainstream media in Indonesia has covered food mostly through fragmented headlines: the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG), price fluctuations, large scale food estate projects, export import disputes. These stories matter, but they are often reported in isolation, without connecting them to climate change, livelihoods, or the resilience of local food systems.
As a pillar of democracy, journalists have a critical role in shaping how the public and policymakers understand these connections. Yet many reporters have had limited opportunities to build systems level perspectives on food or to undertake in depth, investigative work on under reported issues. Koalisi Sistem Pangan Lestari (KSPL-FOLU Indonesia) saw an opportunity: strengthen journalistic capacity, and you strengthen the entire information ecosystem around food systems.
Joining this fellowship has been an incredibly eye-opening experience. What I found most interesting was how food issues were discussed in a holistic manner, not just in terms of production and consumption, but also their connection to social justice, the environment, and the future of the next generation. This fellowship not only expanded my knowledge but also fostered awareness and the courage to take part in advocating for a more just and sustainable food system.
Photo Credits: FOLU Indonesia
In 2025, KSPL partnered with Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) Jakarta to design and implement a structured Journalist Fellowship. The programme unfolded in two main stages:
Foundational workshops
Fellowship phase
Throughout, KSPL played a convening and capacity building role, bridging research, policy and media practice so that journalists could bring evidence based, locally grounded stories to their audiences.
Equipped 30 journalists with a stronger systems-based understanding of food
Enabled 10 fellows to carry out in depth reporting, supported by mentorship and advanced training
Produced a flagship publication that amplifies local food system stories and voices
The culmination of the fellowship was the publication “Jejak Kemandirian Pangan Lokal”, a collection of longform stories that spotlight local food practices, community struggles and innovations often absent from national headlines. The book is both a product and a proof of concept: it shows what becomes possible when journalists are given time, tools and support to go beyond daily news cycles.
Most importantly, it has strengthened the food system information ecosystem – making it more likely that public debates and policy decisions will be informed by nuanced, locally rooted reporting rather than fragmented headlines alone.
Running from July to December 2025, the fellowship has shown that when journalists are trusted as partners in transformation, stories themselves become a powerful lever for changing Indonesia’s food system.
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