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hoosing a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge, as many of the products available on shop shelves are processed and contain artificial substances. To answer the challenge, some citizens have begun promoting natural and homemade consumable products.

Santi Wibisono, 47, has long upheld a healthy lifestyle and operated a grocery store in Tebet, South Jakarta. The store is filled with products free of artificial flavors and preservatives, as well as organic vegetables Santi grows herself.

“After that, I, along with some colleagues, decided to establish a movement to raise health awareness among citizens. Earlier this year, we established ourselves as a foundation called Health-Conscious Society Management [KEMASS],” Santi said on Saturday.

To help citizens find various options to support a healthy way of life, the foundation initiated a weekend market located in the city’s historic Kota Tua from March 11 to 12. The market consisted of various vendors who sold raw materials and their products, from sweet potatoes to cookies.

Aside from food, some of the vendors at the market sold homemade body and skincare products made from natural ingredients. “We want to spread the values of a healthy lifestyle not just through food, but also other products for everyday use,” she said.

The weekend market also promoted local products that were just as good as popular brands, she said. “We have collaborated with the Jakarta Old Town Consortium to make this market a routine weekend event. In the future, the market will also accommodate events organized to promote healthy lifestyles, such as seminars or cooking classes,” she said.

A healthy lifestyle has attracted more and more people as many realize the importance of maintaining their health to prevent sickness, Santi said.

“When healthy food becomes tasty, people will be inclined to abandon their unhealthy diets,” said Lidya Natalia, a 29-year-old entrepreneur who has developed a homemade brand of natural snacks since 2013.

Lidya, who was also one of the vendors at the weekend market, mainly sold treats such as muffins, cakes and cookies at moderate prices. “All my products are gluten and dairy-free. I don’t use refined sugar, either, so these snacks are equally healthy and delectable at the same time,” she said.

“I can tell that healthy food is getting more attractive because there’s a growing demand for my products.”

Novi, 30, one of the market’s visitors, felt the market had helped her to practice a healthy way of life. “I have only recently started eating healthily, and it’s hard to find organic and natural products like the ones sold at this market,” she said.

Novi, who visited the market with her family, bought biscuits and pudding for her 6-month-old daughter. “I want my daughter to start early with a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Another visitor, Wati, accidentally found the market when she was enjoying a day off in Kota Tua with her children. “It’s great that I could choose a wide range of healthy food options here, because they can help with the diet I’m on right now,” she said. (dea)