By: Rafi Alamsyah )*
The Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship policies, considered to have brought real change to the quality of human resources and national economic equality. This program not only provides free meals to schoolchildren but also serves as a long-term investment in building a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation. Behind every plate of food served is the country’s ambitious mission to eliminate nutritional inequality and stimulate the people’s economy, even in remote villages.
The MBG initiative stemmed from the President’s concern for the condition of children in regions experiencing malnutrition and stunting. During numerous visits, the Head of State witnessed firsthand children whose growth was stunted due to limited nutritional intake. This led to the birth of a policy that prioritizes child nutrition as a national development priority. The President believes that nutrition issues are not only a health issue but also relate to the future of the nation, as a malnourished generation will struggle to compete in the global era.
The MBG program has now reached more than thirty-five million children and pregnant women through more than eleven thousand food pantries spread across various regions. The government has strengthened monitoring standards to ensure that every meal served meets hygiene, safety, and nutritional standards. Although challenges remain, improvements are being systematically implemented. This sustainable approach demonstrates that the MBG is not a short-term program, but rather part of Indonesia’s human development strategy toward a Golden Indonesia 2045.
Cornell University nutritionist Mochammad Rizal believes this program has strategic value because it addresses not only health but also economic and educational aspects. He believes that children who receive balanced nutrition tend to have better learning abilities and greater economic opportunities in the future. In other words, the MBG is a crucial foundation for strengthening the quality of human resources and preparing Indonesia’s golden generation.
But the impact of the MBG goes beyond the dinner table. Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that this program will be a key driver for the national agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. He explained that by 2026, the implementation of the MBG program will increase significantly, reaching more than 82.9 million beneficiaries. With such a large scale, the need for food will also increase sharply, including the need for eggs, chicken, fish, vegetables, and fruit, each reaching 82.9 million servings per day. This situation creates a significant opportunity for farmers, livestock breeders, and food businesses in the regions to increase their production.
Zulkifli Hasan encouraged farmers and livestock breeders to prepare themselves for this surge in demand. He emphasized that all commodities, including rice, corn, and cassava, will be purchased by the government to support the sustainability of the MBG program. Currently, Bulog, together with the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, has prepared a food storage warehouse to ensure a stable supply. This policy demonstrates how the MBG not only improves children’s health but also creates a sustainable economic cycle from upstream to downstream sectors.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology is also strengthening the implementation of the MBG through implementation guidelines in educational institutions. Schools are required to routinely monitor food quality, including recording food waste and food safety incidents. This step aims to build a healthy eating culture and ensure that every rupiah of the nutrition budget provides maximum benefit to recipient children. This effort is also expected to shift children’s consumption patterns, from those previously accustomed to foods high in sugar, salt, and fat to healthy and natural eating habits.
The government has also received public praise for the successful implementation of the MBG program. According to a survey by the National Survey Media Institute (Median), 63.9 percent of the public expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the MBG, while 48.9 percent hoped the program would continue. The public believes the MBG is capable of improving children’s nutrition, easing the economic burden on families, and reaching targeted targets. The survey demonstrated a high level of public trust in the program’s sustainability as part of the President’s Asta Cita (Asta Cita) program.
Similar support came from the Indonesian Millennial Generation Forum, which assessed that the MBG not only helps children but also revitalizes the regional economy and creates new jobs. FGMI Coordinator, Muhamad Suparjo, explained that the circulation of funds from the MBG kitchen has a direct impact on community welfare because local food is purchased daily. Suparjo also explained thatWe hope this program will soon reach all regions so that every Indonesian child has the same right to enjoy nutritious food from the government.
The MBG program has now become a symbol of the state’s presence in society, linking three strategic interests: improving nutritional quality, empowering the people’s economy, and sustainable human development. Each stage of MBG implementation has a multiplier effect on the village economy, increasing people’s purchasing power, and strengthening national food security. The government believes that a strong nation is not only characterized by magnificent infrastructure, but also by children who grow up healthy and empowered.
)* Public Policy Analyst