Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen access to services in the regions to expand the number of beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG), as part of its strategic efforts to realize the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045.
President Prabowo emphasized that strengthening access in the regions is key to the program’s success. “The MBG program not only provides nutritious food but also encourages local community empowerment through the management of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) throughout the country,” Prabowo said. By October 2025, the MBG program had reached millions of beneficiaries across Indonesia.
In Papua Province, the complexity of nutrition issues demands an integrated approach. The prevalence of stunting in the region reaches 28.6 percent, far above the national average. Deputy Governor of Papua, Aryoko Rumaropen, emphasized the importance of strengthening access to services in the region.
“Integrated, cross-sectoral measures are key to addressing nutrition issues. Expanding SPPGs to remote areas ensures that communities receive MBG services equitably,” he said. The government has built more than 100 SPPGs across Papua, utilizing local materials to support the community’s economy while improving nutrition.
The success of expanding access was also evident in Jayapura City, Papua. Just months after the program’s implementation, the prevalence of stunting decreased from 21.3 percent in 2023 to 15.5 percent. As of October, more than 33,000 people, including toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, had benefited from MBG.
In North Sumatra, the Deli Serdang Regency Government is accelerating the establishment of SPPGs to expand the number of MBG beneficiaries. By the end of October, 42 SPPGs were operational in 14 sub-districts, reaching more than 102,000 people.
Similar success has been seen in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. With 12 active SPPGs and the support of 564 volunteers, the MBG program has successfully reached 34,679 beneficiaries across three sub-districts. Volunteer involvement has proven crucial in ensuring that each program intervention reaches its intended target, effectively expanding access to MBG services in the region.
In addition, the government is preparing to expand the MBG program for the elderly and people with disabilities. Arzeti Bilbina, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, expressed her support for this plan, as long as it is accompanied by improvements in governance.
“We support the expansion of the MBG program for the elderly and people with disabilities, but governance and oversight must be strengthened to minimize the risk of food poisoning and spoilage,” said Arzeti. She added that improving oversight and distribution is crucial to ensuring the program’s full benefits.