SEKOLAH SEBAGAI AGEN PELESTARIAN PANGAN LOKAL DANPENGUATAN IDENTITAS BUDAYA SISWA

Abstract

Local food is an integral part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage that is currently facing serious challenges due to globalization and changing lifestyles among younger generations. This study aims to examine the role of schools as agents of local food preservation and as a means of strengthening students’ cultural identity within the context of the Merdeka Curriculum and the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5). The study employed a qualitative literature review approach. Data sources consisted of nationally accredited journals indexed by SINTA, reputable international journals, academic books, and educational policy documents published between 2020 and 2025. Data were collected through documentation techniques and analyzed using content analysis. The findings reveal that: (1) local food represents a cultural heritage rich in local wisdom values; (2) schools play a strategic role as cultural preservation agents through curriculum implementation, extracurricular activities, and school culture; (3) the integration of local food into learning activities significantly strengthens students’ cultural identity; (4) the implementation of P5 provides concrete opportunities for local food preservation in elementary schools; and (5) local wisdom-based learning has proven effective in fostering students’ pride in and appreciation of regional culture. The novelty of this study lies in its synthesis of local food preservation and the strengthening of students’ cultural identity through the role of schools as cultural agents within the framework of the Merdeka Curriculum and P5, a perspective that has not been comprehensively explored in previous literature.