Food quality and safety are two essential requirements for marketing local food products. For this reason, Yayasan SHEEP Indonesia (YSI), in collaboration with the Center for Disaster Risk Management and Community Development Studies (CDRM-CDS) Mentawai, has partnered with the Mentawai District Health Office, the Office of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives and SMEs (Disperindagkop), and the Licensing Office. This collaboration has resulted in a series of food safety training sessions for supported community partners in the Siberut and Sikakap regions, particularly for YSI-supported community-based organizations (OMBs) engaged in local food processing businesses.

The training covers key aspects of food safety, including hygiene, safe food handling, hazard control, and an understanding of regulations and policies applicable to various local processed products such as banana chips, taro chips, banana and taro cookies, banana and taro sponge cakes, and processed crab products. The aim is to ensure that these products meet not only market demand in terms of quantity but also fulfill quality standards, making them competitive in broader markets.

During coordination meetings, all three government agencies expressed their full commitment to supporting the implementation of these training activities. The District Health Office pledged to facilitate the issuance of food safety certificates for business actors. Disperindagkop offered support through mentoring in product development and marketing, while the Licensing Office committed to assisting with business licensing processes for YSI and CDRM-CDS partner organizations. On the civil society side, YSI and CDRM-CDS actively oversee the process to promote the development of a sustainable local food production, consumption, and trade system in Mentawai.