East Java – The government continues to intensify nutrition education for recipients of the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) to strengthen the program’s impact on improving health and human resource quality. This education is crucial so that the MBG not only provides short-term benefits but also fosters healthy eating habits in the community.
The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, emphasized the strategic role of the Nutrition Service Fulfillment Unit (SPPG) in providing direct nutrition education, including by visiting schools to explain the importance of nutritious food for student growth and development.
“Ask for an hour to be a teacher in a class. Then, switch to the next class, another class. Explain the importance of nutritious food,” said Nanik in her briefing at the Socialization and Strengthening of Free Nutritional Meal Governance and Supervision and Monitoring of SPPG in East Java.
According to Nanik, nutrition education should not only target schoolchildren but also extend to other vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. Therefore, SPPGs are encouraged to collaborate with various parties at the local level, including health professionals at community health centers (Puskesmas), Posyandu (Integrated Service Post) cadres, and the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) Team.
“SPPGs can collaborate with health professionals at Puskesmas, Posyandu cadres, and the PKK to provide counseling to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers,” she explained.
Furthermore, Nanik emphasized the important role of village and sub-district governments in supporting nutrition education. She believes that collaboration with village heads can be a gateway to reaching a wider community through village forums.
“They can also collaborate with village heads to organize meeting forums in villages for nutrition counseling and explain what MBG is,” she said.
On the occasion, Nanik also highlighted the importance of public communication skills for MBG implementers in the field. Public speaking skills, whether in small forums such as schools, PKK (Family Welfare Movement), or village level groups, are considered crucial to ensuring the message about the importance of MBG is understood and well received by the community.
“This is crucial in explaining the importance of the MBG program to the entire community,” she said.
Furthermore, Nanik appreciated the creativity of the SPPG heads, accountants, nutritionists, partners, and volunteers who have designed various innovative approaches to nutrition education for children. This fun approach is considered effective in fostering children’s interest in consuming healthy foods, especially vegetables.
She cited examples such as the use of comic book character costumes by MBG meal delivery drivers, the provision of healthy snack bonuses, and simple prizes as a form of motivation.
“We gave the drivers Power Ranger costumes, which increased their enthusiasm.” “If they want to eat vegetables, bring them snacks tomorrow. Occasionally, bring them burgers or something, but make sure they eat vegetables,” said Nanik.
Through this continuous and creative strengthening of nutrition education, the government hopes the Free Nutritious Meal Program will not only meet daily nutritional needs but also build collective public awareness of the importance of a healthy diet as the foundation for a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation of Indonesians.***