Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) and Urban Food Prosumption in Indonesia: A Case Study in Bandung Urban Areas

Over the past two decades, there has been a surge in discussions and movements aimed at addressing food system challenges. The concept of Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) has been the focus of numerous studies. Yet, there remains a dearth of exploration into AFNs and their unique characteristics in Southeast Asian countries, including urban areas in Indonesia. The interface of agriculture with residential and industrial development on the peripheries of major Indonesian cities has resulted in distinctive food distribution and logistics challenges. Furthermore, urban residents in Indonesia have a historical tradition of cultivating their own food in their yards, positioning them as both producers and consumers (prosumers) of food. However, the scholarly discourse in food studies has inadequately engaged with the concept of prosumption. This paper, using prosumption and AFNs frameworks, focuses on AFN practices and their influence on urban food systems in the Indonesian urban context, specifically in the urban areas of Bandung. Bandung was selected as a case study due to its early involvement in the Milan Pact and the development of local food policies at the municipal level. The study examines two forms of AFN initiatives in urban areas of Bandung: 1) institutionalized integrated urban farming initiatives, such as Buruan Sae, and 2) community-based food initiatives, such as Seni Tani, Kebun Belakang, and Lab Pangan. Through in-depth interviews with key actors and narrative analysis, the study reveals that the concept of prosumption in AFNs transcends mere production and consumption. It also serves as a platform for the political empowerment of urban inhabitants. For Buruan Sae, it involves collaboration with the local government in urban food provisioning. Furthermore, in the Indonesian context, the "alternative" in AFNs is not about challenging the mainstream; rather, it is about regenerating collective prosumption, which has long been taken for granted.