SURABAYA ― Facing the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and unhealthy snacks among children, the ALIT Foundation initiated an integrated garden program called BERISIK (Gardening Is Fun) as a concrete step to fulfill children’s nutritional needs while strengthening community-based child protection. This mandatory program is implemented for all children to guarantee their basic rights to growth and development and educational opportunities.
This movement has been widely implemented in various regions, including Surabaya, Bromo (Pasuruan), Jember, Banyuwangi, Sumenep, Bali (Tampak Siring), and Flores. This integrated garden program is implemented in three main zones: schools, communities, and homes. As of April 2026, 267 homes were actively growing vegetables and herbs independently using seeds from community gardens.
In the school zone, gardening activities are integrated into Early Childhood Education (PAUD/ECD) lessons. Children are trained to care for plants, while parents help prepare the land. Interestingly, the harvest from these gardens isn’t left to chance, but is immediately processed into the main ingredient for cooking classes. In Surabaya, Bromo, and Flores, garden produce menus include processed fish, eggs, and vegetables, including the popular “Fish and Vegetable Nuggets,” which have successfully reduced children’s dependence on instant and ultra-processed foods.
This program has had a tremendous impact on instilling responsibility and environmental awareness in children from an early age. Furthermore, children’s nutritional status has improved dramatically. Of the 601 beneficiary children, 256 now regularly bring healthy lunch boxes and have stopped buying random snacks at school. In Jember, this healthy food campaign is reinforced through monitoring of lunchbox contents every Saturday.
In addition to improving nutrition, this program has successfully strengthened family harmony and reduced the incidence of violence against children due to poor parenting. A total of 460 parents are actively involved, including 58 fathers who now enjoy playing with their children, telling stories, and gardening at home. This has resulted in a drastic decrease in tantrums among ALIT’s children.
The success of the BERISIK movement has also received full support from local governments. For example, in Bromo, BERISIK was adopted as a national model for a “Child-Friendly Village.” Meanwhile, in Tampak Siring, Bali, the village government collaborated with the Banjar (Traditional Village) to promote the BERISIK program and the “Olah-Olah” tradition to achieve family food security. With just a single inch of yard land, the ALIT Foundation demonstrated that independent food security can build the character and health of future generations.
