By: Edward Likhumahuwa )*
The government’s efforts to expand the reach of nutrition services for children and toddlers in remote areas through the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program are a strategic step worthy of appreciation. From a child health perspective, adequate and equitable nutrition is not only related to reducing stunting rates but also concerns the future of Indonesia’s next generation. The MBG program provides concrete interventions to guarantee children’s basic right: access to adequate, nutritious food, especially for those living in remote areas.
One of the program’s key foundations is the presence of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG). The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that the government has built 8,200 SPPGs in various remote areas as distribution centers for MBG services. This step is designed to ensure more equitable public access to nutritious food. In addition to the completed construction, 4,700 SPPG units are still under construction, with approximately 170 units targeted for completion by December 2025. The development of these services demonstrates that the government’s commitment extends beyond planning; implementation continues to progress at a significant scale.
Dadan explained that the number of MBG beneficiaries in remote areas currently reaches around 3 million people, part of a total of 47.2 million beneficiaries across Indonesia. A larger target has been set: BGN is optimistic about reaching 82.9 million beneficiaries by March or April 2026. This target is not just a number, but a reflection of the government’s determination to expand nutritional protection to all groups, including those in the most challenging geographic environments.
At the national policy level, the government’s commitment was further emphasized through the directives of the Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan. Zulhas stated that the government will accelerate the development of SPPG in the 3T (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost) regions. This acceleration is crucial considering that inequality in access to quality food remains a classic problem in Indonesia. 3T (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost) regions have faced infrastructure challenges, limited healthcare personnel, and unstable food distribution. By accelerating SPPG development, these obstacles can be minimized so that children even in the most vulnerable areas have the same right to grow up healthy.
Collaboration with the private sector also plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the MBG program. Alven Stony, Chairman of the Indonesian Nutritious Food Entrepreneurs Association (Gapembi), stated that his organization is collaborating with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to expand the involvement of MSMEs in providing nutritious food pantries and services. This collaboration targets not only school children from preschool to high school but also pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, two groups that require significant nutritional intervention.
According to Alven, the involvement of MSMEs creates a dual effect: expanding public access to nutritional services while simultaneously stimulating the local economy. Through this model, MSMEs not only become food supply partners but also have the opportunity to move up a class. Gapembi and Kadin ensure comprehensive support, from supply chain management and compliance with hygiene standards to food quality, which must meet health standards. With this support, MSMEs are able to produce healthy, safe, and affordable food that is suitable for children and vulnerable groups.
At the regional level, various provincial governments have also demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening MBG services. In Maluku, for example, Acting Regional Secretary Kasrul Selang stated that Maluku Governor Hendrik Lewerissa had issued Decree No. 2145 of 2025 concerning the Establishment of the MBG Task Force. The formation of this task force has a strategic objective: to ensure that MBG distribution runs smoothly and is accessible to all, including those in remote areas. Kasrul emphasized that the governor instructed that every program, from both the central and provincial governments, must not remain on paper but must deliver tangible benefits.
More importantly, Kasrul emphasized that all children and pregnant women in Maluku, including those living on small islands and in remote areas, must be able to benefit from the MBG program. This statement affirms that equitable nutrition is a state obligation to ensure future generations grow healthier, smarter, and stronger. In an archipelagic province like Maluku, MBG services pose greater logistical challenges. Therefore, the presence of the MBG Task Force serves to ensure better cross-agency coordination, from food distribution and nutrition education to impact monitoring.
All these government steps and cross-sector collaboration demonstrate that the nutrition agenda is not merely a technical program, but a strategic policy for improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. Providing nutrition for children in remote areas means providing them with more equal opportunities to grow and contribute to the nation.
Today, the success of the MBG program is determined not only by the central or regional governments, but also by public support. The distribution of MBG to remote areas is a concrete manifestation of equitable nutrition, a fundamental right of every Indonesian child. As the country continues to expand nutrition infrastructure and services, the public, businesses, and local communities need to contribute to ensuring that every child, pregnant woman, and family in remote areas can enjoy the benefits of MBG. Working together, we can create a healthier, stronger, and future-ready generation in Indonesia.
(* The author is a Child and Toddler Nutrition Observer from Maluku