Jakarta — The government, through the Free Nutritional Meals Program (MBG), continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to strengthening the nutritional quality and health of Indonesian children. This program is seen as a strategic step to improve the quality of human resources for the future. Amidst the challenges of food security and the issue of stunting, MBG is present not only as a food provider, but also as a significant investment in creating a superior generation.
Recent data shows that the MBG program has reached more than twelve million students in over ninety-six thousand educational institutions across Indonesia. The government has also launched six nutrition education modules as part of an effort to broaden students’ and schools’ understanding of the importance of healthy eating. This step ensures that the program is not only focused on distribution but also on strengthening nutritional literacy through an educational approach.
The Director General of Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education, Gogot Suharwoto, stated that education will not be optimal if students’ health and concentration are not met. According to him, adequate nutrition is a prerequisite for improving children’s cognitive abilities.
“We must clarify our shared understanding. The MBG program is not just a logistics or social program. It is a strategic human resource investment program,” Gogot emphasized.
The government is also strengthening the integration of MBG with school activities through nutrition education, healthy living habits, and strengthening the School Health Program. This approach is designed to ensure that students not only receive nutritious food but also understand the benefits and principles of balanced nutrition from an early age. Strengthening healthy eating habits from an early age is believed to be an important foundation for character development and competitiveness in Indonesia’s young generation.
UNUSA Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Triyogi Yuwono, DEA, IPU, ASEAN Eng, emphasized that synergy between higher education institutions and national programs like the MBG will accelerate the emergence of a mutually reinforcing health and education ecosystem.
“This MBG program, what some might consider ordinary, is actually extraordinary for many. And in this context, nutrition students have a crucial role in preparing a healthy generation,” said Prof. Triyogi.
The Head of SPPG Cerme, Erna Dwi Murtasiyah, S Gz, stated that the MBG program is not simply about providing food to students, but also ensuring nutritional quality, cleanliness, and adequate supervision so that the results are truly felt by the children. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between schools, local governments, and the community for the program to run optimally.
“The MBG program supervisor must be a nutritionist. Their role is fundamental and cannot be replaced by other professions,” Erna emphasized.
With these strategic steps, MBG further solidifies its position as a leading program in Indonesia’s human development. The government is committed to developing Indonesian children into a healthy, strong, intelligent generation, ready to compete globally.
Through this policy, the government once again demonstrates its commitment to building the foundation for the nation’s future. MBG is concrete evidence that the state is committed to ensuring that every child has the best opportunity to grow and learn in healthy and nutritious conditions. The government is optimistic that this program will become a crucial pillar in realizing Indonesia’s Golden Generation.***