RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government continues to intensify the implementation of the Affordable Food Movement (GPM) in various regions to maintain the stability of food supply and prices ahead of the 1447 Hijri Eid al-Adha. This step is taken amid the increasing demand from the public for staple food during the period of religious holidays.

The Head of the Food Data and Information Center of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Kelik Budiana, said that the government continues to expand the implementation of GPM so that the public can obtain food needs at more affordable prices.

"We continue to promote the Cheap Food Movement, and from January to May this year, it has occurred 4,973 times in 36 provinces and 374 regencies/cities. For the month of May, the total was 518 times in 21 provinces and 143 regencies/cities," Kelik stated in Jakarta, Monday, May 25, 2026.

According to him, the implementation of GPM in various regions is expected to help the community meet their basic food needs at stable prices, while also keeping market prices in line with the highest retail price or even below the highest retail price (HET).

"Of course, with the existence of this Affordable Food Movement, it is hoped that it can meet the needs of the community, and at the same time, it can also lower prices to the HET or below the HET," he said.

Based on the agency's data, the most GPM implementations in May 2026 were in North Sumatra with 99 times, West Java with 95 times, and South Sulawesi with 83 times. The program was also held in various other regions such as Southeast Sulawesi, Aceh, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, East Java, and South Papua.

In Barito Utara Regency, the local government is implementing GPM on the road thru the "GPM On The Road" program. Regent Barito Utara, Shalahuddin believes that stabilizing food prices requires concrete steps that directly impact the community.

"We do not want the community to be burdened by the soaring prices of basic necessities ahead of Eid al-Adha. Therefore, we will continue this movement," Shalahuddin said.

He said that the program is part of the local government's efforts to maintain the purchasing power of the community while also controlling regional inflation. Various commodities sold are ensured to have good quality at prices lower than market prices.

"This activity is part of the local government's commitment to maintaining food security, controlling the regional inflation rate, and providing services that directly touch the community," he added.