The Government Continues to Involve the Community in Monitoring the Free Nutritional Meal Program
By: Anggina Nur Andini*
The Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) is a significant milestone in President Prabowo Subianto’s administration’s commitment to building a healthy, intelligent, and prosperous nation. This program is designed not only to meet the nutritional needs of schoolchildren but also as a long-term investment in the development of superior and competitive Indonesian human resources for the future. Through the MBG, the government strives to implement policies that directly impact the lives of the people, based on the principles of justice, equity, and sustainability.
The government positions the MBG as a national program involving all levels of society. A collaborative approach is key to ensuring its successful implementation. The government does not work alone, but partners with civil society, educational institutions, religious organizations, and the business world to work together to ensure that nutritious food reaches children throughout Indonesia. By involving public participation, the MBG is not just a government program, but a social movement to realize Indonesia’s golden generation.
Yeka Hendra Fatika, a member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, believes that strengthening governance within the MBG program is a crucial step in upholding President Prabowo Subianto’s dignity. He believes this program symbolizes the state’s concern for the common people, and its credibility and effectiveness must be maintained. The government, Yeka stated, has demonstrated its commitment by undertaking comprehensive improvements to ensure the MBG’s implementation is better, more targeted, and more sustainable.
The government’s concrete steps are evident in the Ministry of Health’s (Kemenkes) policy of issuing Hygiene Sanitation Certificates (SLHS) to all Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG). This policy demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that the food consumed by children is safe, hygienic, and nutritionally balanced. The Acting Director General of Disease Control, Murti Utami, emphasized that food safety is a crucial factor and a primary concern. Every kitchen and food provider is required to meet high hygiene standards as a form of responsibility to the community.
The Ministry of Health also ensures that the certification process is swift and transparent. Local governments are given a key role in issuing SLHS, while the community is involved in the monitoring and evaluation process. With this system, the government not only strengthens regulatory aspects but also fosters collective awareness of the importance of food safety and nutritional quality.
Support for community involvement also comes from academics. Paramadina University economist Wijayanto Samirin believes that public participation and independent institutions are crucial foundations for ensuring transparency in the implementation of the MBG. He believes that the involvement of civil society, universities, and professional nutrition organizations will strengthen public trust in the program. The government has opened up ample space for community elements to contribute by providing input, oversight, and mentoring so that the MBG continues to develop and improve.
Nurhadi, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the success of the MBG is largely determined by the synergy between the government and the community. The DPR, along with relevant ministries and institutions, continues to ensure that every rupiah of the disbursed budget is truly converted into nutritious food consumed by Indonesian children. Nurhadi emphasized that collaboration with religious institutions, foundations, and food supply partners must be directed at strengthening the quality of nutrition services, not simply meeting numerical targets.
In this context, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) also plays a strategic role in expanding the program’s reach and strengthening its monitoring system. BGN Deputy Chairperson, Nanik S. Deyeng, stated that the government is strengthening coordination with food monitoring agencies, regional laboratories, and local communities to ensure that every meal served meets nutritional and hygiene standards. BGN also continues to innovate by introducing a digital reporting system so that the public can participate and provide direct feedback on program implementation in their respective regions.
The government’s participatory approach demonstrates that the National Nutrition Agency (MBG) is not only a food distribution program but also a means of social empowerment. Communities are trained to play an active role in monitoring, reporting, and ensuring that program implementation adheres to guidelines. Women’s organizations, youth organizations, and local farmer groups are involved in providing fresh food for the MBG, creating positive economic impacts in the regions.
Community involvement also strengthens a sense of ownership of the program. When people are involved in monitoring and implementation, traTransparency and accountability will grow naturally. The government understands that the success of the MBG program is not solely measured by the number of kitchens or the portion of food distributed, but by how involved the community feels in the process. Thus, MBG has become a symbol of modern mutual cooperation—a synergy between the state and the people to realize a healthy and equitable future.
The implementation of MBG has also created new jobs for local communities. Thousands of kitchen workers, raw material providers, and micro-entrepreneurs have gained new economic opportunities through this program. The government continues to ensure that the economic benefits of MBG are distributed equitably, especially in rural areas. In addition to improving child nutrition, this program is a driving force for the people’s economy, revitalizing the national food supply chain.
Going forward, the government is committed to gradually expanding the scope of the MBG program while maintaining food quality and safety. The principles of transparency, public participation, and data-based monitoring are the main foundations for ensuring the program’s sustainability. The community is expected to continue to play an active role in overseeing the implementation of MBG, providing input, and maintaining a spirit of togetherness in building a healthy and strong generation.
*The author is an Independent Journalist and Child Nutrition Observer
