Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Makes the Free Nutritious Meal Program a Success

By: Cintya Medina )*

The government continues to intensify the free nutritious meal program (MBG) as an effort to reduce stunting rates and improve the quality of public health. This program is not only the responsibility of one party, but involves various sectors, ranging from local governments, the private sector, community organizations, to the world of education. Cross-sectoral collaboration is the main key to ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of this program throughout Indonesia.

Relevant ministries together with local governments play an important role in designing policies and allocating budgets for the free nutritious meal program. The government collaborates with various parties, including private companies and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), to support this program in the form of funding, provision of food ingredients, and distribution of food to various regions.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said that the National Police will collaborate with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in fully supporting government programs. Starting from realizing food independence to encouraging the MBG program. He emphasized that this synergy aims to strengthen national food security while improving people’s welfare. In addition, the National Police will also play an active role in ensuring that the distribution of the program runs smoothly and on target.

Meanwhile, a number of companies engaged in the food and agribusiness sectors also play a role in supporting the success of this program by providing quality food ingredients. Support from the private sector ensures that the food provided in this program meets the nutritional standards set by the Ministry of Health. In addition, the food and beverage industry is also given the opportunity to innovate in creating nutritious products that are in accordance with the program’s needs.

In addition to the government and the private sector, social organizations and non-governmental institutions also play a major role in supporting food distribution to groups in need. Through a wide community network, social organizations are able to reach remote areas that are difficult for the government to reach.

Founder of Kita Indonesia Penggerak (KIP) Foundation, Ari Kusuma said that the plan to empower BUMDesa based on food security which will be carried out throughout 2025 is in line with the aim of supporting the MBG program. He said that BUMDesa has great potential to support the MBG program, especially in providing the raw materials needed. Through various activities, such as training, empowerment, and business assistance, the KIP Foundation together with Sampoerna Untuk Indonesia are ready to collaborate with the government to develop a Co-Production development model that involves all stakeholders.

Many philanthropic institutions are involved in funding and distributing nutritious food to children in schools, orphanages, and families with low economic conditions. With good coordination between various parties, this program can run effectively and on target.

Schools are one of the main points in the implementation of the MBG program, especially for early childhood and elementary school students. This program aims to ensure that every child gets sufficient nutritional intake to support their growth and development.

The MBG program has a broad impact on society. In terms of health, this program helps reduce stunting rates, increases children’s immune systems, and supports their cognitive development. With adequate nutrition, children are more focused on learning and have enough energy to be active.

In addition, this program also has a positive impact on the economy. By partnering with local farmers and producers in providing food, this program also increases community income in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors. The food supply chain becomes more structured, creating a mutually beneficial economic ecosystem.

The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) emphasized that the MBG Program not only meets the nutritional needs of children, but also contributes to improving the local economy. As much as 80 percent of the MBG program budget is allocated for the purchase of raw materials, the majority of which are purchased from local markets. This creates a domino effect for small and medium businesses in the regions. He also emphasized that the implementation of the MBG program has been going well, although there are still several aspects that need to be optimized. One of them is the absorption of labor from poor groups to work in this program.