28 June, 2026
By Nisrina Qotrunnada (The University of Queensland)
By Nisrina Qotrunnada (The University of Queensland)
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Before the MyINDAH Diet app reaches people’s hands, we wanted to make sure it reflects the realities of the communities it is designed to support.
In early June, the MyINDAH Diet team returned to Bandung to conduct community validation sessions with women from Cibunut and Cibodas. The visit was not only about testing whether the app worked technically. More importantly, it was about listening to how people understand food, nutrition, technology, and daily household needs. One of the most meaningful moments came before the discussions even began. Several women who had participated in our earlier research still remembered us. They remembered the previous conversations, the food discussions, and the process of sharing stories about household meals. Their warm response reminded us that community-based research is not built in one visit. It grows through trust, familiarity, and continued engagement. |
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During the sessions, participants explored the MyINDAH Diet app and shared practical suggestions. Some were interested in clearer recipe information, simple cooking guidance, and short educational videos or modules. Others highlighted the need to improve the food search function, especially because the same food or ingredient can have different names in different places. Participants also suggested that nutrition information should be presented in a way that is simple, clear, and easy to apply.
The visit also showed that different communities may need different things from the same app.
In Cibunut, where participants generally had greater exposure to digital technology, internet access, and health information through activities such as Posyandu, the app felt relevant and engaging. Many women were willing to explore the features, especially the recipe section. They were curious about how the app could help them find food ideas, understand nutrition, and support healthier meals for their families.
In Cibodas, the response was different. Many women work as farmers and have busy daily routines. They have less time to use mobile applications, so recipe features were not their main priority. Instead, they were more interested in practical information that could support their daily activities, such as market price information.
These differences reminded us that digital innovation should not assume that all users have the same needs, time, access, or priorities. An app can only be useful if it understands the context of the people who use it. For some users, recipes and nutrition education may be the most relevant features. For others, practical livelihood-related information may be more important.
The Bandung validation was therefore more than a technical exercise. It was a reminder that research and innovation need to stay close to the communities they aim to serve. Listening to users helps ensure that the MyINDAH Diet app is not only informative, but also relevant, accessible, and meaningful in daily life.
And of course, the visit also reminded us of something simple but important: conversations about food and nutrition are always better when shared around good food :)
As the MyINDAH Diet platform continues to be refined, the voices of communities in places like Cibunut and Cibodas will remain central to its development.
The visit also showed that different communities may need different things from the same app.
In Cibunut, where participants generally had greater exposure to digital technology, internet access, and health information through activities such as Posyandu, the app felt relevant and engaging. Many women were willing to explore the features, especially the recipe section. They were curious about how the app could help them find food ideas, understand nutrition, and support healthier meals for their families.
In Cibodas, the response was different. Many women work as farmers and have busy daily routines. They have less time to use mobile applications, so recipe features were not their main priority. Instead, they were more interested in practical information that could support their daily activities, such as market price information.
These differences reminded us that digital innovation should not assume that all users have the same needs, time, access, or priorities. An app can only be useful if it understands the context of the people who use it. For some users, recipes and nutrition education may be the most relevant features. For others, practical livelihood-related information may be more important.
The Bandung validation was therefore more than a technical exercise. It was a reminder that research and innovation need to stay close to the communities they aim to serve. Listening to users helps ensure that the MyINDAH Diet app is not only informative, but also relevant, accessible, and meaningful in daily life.
And of course, the visit also reminded us of something simple but important: conversations about food and nutrition are always better when shared around good food :)
As the MyINDAH Diet platform continues to be refined, the voices of communities in places like Cibunut and Cibodas will remain central to its development.