Food Bank Sebagai Media Penguatan Kesehatan Ibu Dan Anak Untuk Mengurangi Stunting

Abstract Stunting is a significant health issue in Indonesia, including in Langsa City. Chronic malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life is the main cause of this condition, impacting children's physical and cognitive development. This program aims to reduce stunting prevalence by implementing a food bank as a medium to enhance maternal and child health. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) method was applied to engage the community in identifying needs, planning, implementing, and evaluating the program. Results revealed increased community knowledge about the importance of nutrition through education and the distribution of nutritious food, such as eggs, fish, and vegetables, to vulnerable groups. Furthermore, active community participation in food bank management supports program sustainability. This program successfully reduced malnutrition rates and raised awareness about the importance of balanced nutrition. In conclusion, the food bank can be an effective solution to prevent stunting and sustainably improve maternal and child health. Keywords: food bank, stunting, maternal and child health, community participation