Appreciating the Improvement of Community Welfare through the Free Nutritious Meal Program

Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) initiated by the government of President Prabowo Subianto has received widespread attention because it is considered capable of improving the welfare of local communities. This program not only focuses on food security, but also supports food diversification and economic equality in the regions.

The Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Prof. Dr. Rachmat Pambudy stated that the MBG program was designed to strengthen the availability of local food while improving people’s standard of living.

“This program strengthens food diversification while improving local welfare through collaboration between the government, community, and private sector,” he said.

The Minister of Cooperatives, Budi Arie Setiadi, also expressed the same opinion, saying that the MBG Program has a positive impact on tofu and tempeh craftsmen in Indonesia. This program opens up great opportunities for them to become suppliers of raw materials for MBG kitchens or Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPG) spread throughout the country.

“We support tempeh craftsmen to be involved in the MBG Program. The supply of soybean raw materials for craftsmen must also be guaranteed so that the supply of tempeh for MBG is stable,” said Budi.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of Pemuda Pancasila, Bambang Soesatyo, emphasized the importance of food security in supporting economic sustainability and community welfare.

“Food security is a key factor in economic development. With the MBG program, we not only ensure food availability, but also provide access to nutritious and sustainable food,” he explained.

The MBG program also contributes to efforts to eradicate malnutrition problems, such as stunting, which is still a national challenge. Based on data from the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of stunting in toddlers reached 21.5% in 2023.

“By providing free nutritious food, the quality of life of the community can be improved, while supporting the development of a healthier generation,” continued Bambang.

In addition to direct benefits to the community, the MBG program is also considered strategic to reduce dependence on one type of food. With an adequate budget and commitment from all parties, this program is expected to continue to run smoothly and have a significant impact.

The MBG program reflects a strong synergy between the government, society, and the private sector in realizing inclusive and sustainable development. Support from various parties is the main foundation for the success of this program, which will ultimately strengthen the economic stability and welfare of the Indonesian people. {}