<![CDATA[Nutritional problems in Indonesia remain characterized by a high double burden of malnutrition, driven by low nutritional literacy, rising consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and the sub-optimal capacity of Posyandu (Integrated Health Post) cadres as the spearhead of public health promotion. Strengthening cadres' capacity through participatory learning approaches and the utilization of local foods serves as a crucial strategy to support stunting prevention and improve family dietary behaviors.Objective: This program aimed to enhance the capacity of health cadres as pioneers of the balanced nutrition movement through experiential learning-based training, participatory communication, family counseling, and cross-sectoral collaboration in Ciliang Village, Parigi District, Pangandaran Regency.Methods: The initiative was conducted using a community empowerment approach comprising cadre training, nutrition education via interactive media (flipcharts and food models), family counseling through home visits, and institutional strengthening integrated with the village government, Puskesmas (Community Health Center), PKK (Family Welfare Movement), the e-PPGBM system, and the Sustainable Food Reserve Garden (KRPL) program. Program evaluation involved measuring cadres' knowledge pre- and post-training, alongside observing changes in family consumption behaviors throughout the implementation.Results: The program demonstrated a significant increase in cadres' knowledge post-training ($p < 0.001$), reflecting the efficacy of field-needs-based capacity-building approaches. Interactive educational media and participatory communication enhanced the quality of nutritional counseling during Posyandu sessions and increased active engagement among mothers of under-five children in applying the "Isi Piringku" (My Plate) concept. Family counseling via home visits contributed to reduced ultra-processed food intake and increased utilization of local foods, particularly marine fish as an animal protein source. Program sustainability was further reinforced by village government policy support, Village Fund utilization, integration with e-PPGBM, and cross-sectoral collaborations to ensure sustainable stunting prevention efforts.Conclusion: Strengthening the capacity of health cadres, combined with local food-based nutrition education, participatory communication, and institutional reinforcement, effectively improves cadres' competence, enhances family consumption behaviors, and fortifies community empowerment systems at the village level. This intervention model holds strong potential for replication in regions with similar characteristics as a sustainable strategy to accelerate community nutrition improvement and stunting reduction.]]>
