Tapping the power of blue foods to address malnutrition in Indonesia

Indonesia has made progress in reducing hunger, but malnutrition remains a public health concern. One in five children experience stunting, affecting health, learning, and earning potential. At the same time, overweight and obesity rates are increasing due to poor diet quality. To address these problems, the Government of Indonesia has launched a national meals program aiming to reach more than 80 million mothers, infants, and schoolchildren daily. The government recognizes that blue foods – fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants – are vital as rich sources of protein and micronutrients essential for development. The challenge is knowing which blue foods can deliver the greatest benefits in different regions.

This gap is addressed through the integration of data on nutrition, malnutrition patterns, dietary preferences, and sustainability of blue food sources, including overfishing risks, climate vulnerability, and carbon footprints. This integrated database will enable decision-makers to identify species that meet key nutrient deficiencies, are locally available, are sustainably produced, and offer low-carbon alternatives to terrestrial proteins. The database will support national policymakers in developing measures to strengthen the blue food sector and integrate blue foods into national nutrition guidelines, while enabling local decision-makers to design a more culturally appropriate meals program and identify cost-effective options that meet regional nutritional needs and sustainability goals.