Government Continues to Increase Commitment to Free Nutritious Meal Program to Ensure Right Target

By: Ferri Diputra

The government continues to strengthen its commitment to implementing the free nutritious meal program (MBG) to ensure that its benefits are right on target. This program was initiated as part of an effort to improve the welfare of school children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups who need balanced nutritional intake.

Since its launch, the MBG program has reached thousands of schools and various communities throughout Indonesia. Through collaboration with various parties, including related ministries, local governments, and community organizations, the government strives to ensure that each recipient receives benefits evenly and with quality. In addition, this program also aims to raise awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition in everyday life.

To increase its effectiveness, the government has taken various strategic steps, one of which is to tighten supervision in food distribution. A technology-based monitoring system has been implemented to ensure that there is no misappropriation in the distribution of aid. In addition, periodic evaluations continue to be carried out to adjust policies to needs in the field. The government also collaborates with academics and nutritionists to prepare food menus that are in accordance with the nutritional needs of the community.

Acting Deputy III of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Nunung Nuryantono said that the MBG program is one of the national priorities in reducing stunting rates and increasing the intelligence of the next generation. This program not only provides free food, but also educates the public about the importance of good nutrition.

The success of the free nutritious meal program cannot be separated from the support of various sectors, including the private sector and local communities. Several companies have contributed through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs by providing nutritious food ingredients and supporting facilities.

In addition, educators and parents have an important role in ensuring that children benefit from this program. Socialization related to healthy eating patterns and the importance of balanced nutrition also continues to be intensified so that public awareness increases.

In several areas, this program has shown positive results with increased student participation in schools and a decrease in the number of children with malnutrition. Parents also reported positive changes in their children’s eating habits since this program was implemented.

In the future, the government plans to expand the scope of the program by increasing the number of beneficiaries and improving the quality of the food provided. This step is carried out by increasing cooperation with local farmers so that the food ingredients used in this program are fresher and of high quality. By involving local farmers, this program also contributes to improving the economy of people in rural areas.

Minister of Finance (Menkeu), Sri Mulyani Indrawati revealed that the MBG program will contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 0.7 percent. She explained that this program will require around 185,000 workers and has the potential to reduce poverty by 0.19 percent. In the implementation of MBG in January 2025, for example, there were 220 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) implementing this program. Each SPPG is responsible for providing food for 3,000 beneficiaries. In total, there were 589,902 beneficiaries from students, pregnant women, and toddlers in the implementation in January 2025.

Then in December 2025, it will increase SPPG to reach 5,000 SPPG and the number of beneficiaries handled will increase to 4,000 beneficiaries. With a free nutritious meal budget of IDR 71 trillion in 2025, this program is targeted to provide food to 15.5 million students and 2.4 million pregnant women and toddlers.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, has prepared three schemes to enable MSMEs to be involved in the MBG program sustainably. He revealed that the three schemes were prepared because the MBG program has an extraordinary multiplier effect on the national economy. Especially in encouraging the growth of MSMEs in the food and beverage sector.

With this program, there will be an economic cycle in every village, which will drive the wheels of the economy throughout Indonesia. The MSME sector is the party that benefits the most from this program. All aspects from upstream to downstream will form a food business ecosystem. With the movement of the economy and new business opportunities, Indonesia is building a new business ecosystem in the food sector. Almost all aspects of the supply chain of this program involve MSMEs, from upstream to downstream.