By: Gavin Asadit )*
The government reported that the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) program had reached Rp 41.3 trillion by November 18, 2025, or approximately 58.2 percent of the 2025 State Budget ceiling of Rp 71 trillion. This figure demonstrates accelerated spending on the program, which is intended as a nutritional intervention for vulnerable groups and school children, as part of developing superior human resources.
Based on regional distribution, Java Island is the largest beneficiary with 25.68 million people, followed by Sumatra with 8.6 million people, Sulawesi with 2.74 million people, Bali-Nusa Tenggara with 2.15 million people, Kalimantan with 1.70 million people, and Maluku-Papua with 0.69 million people.
The Ministry of Finance stated that tens of millions of beneficiaries have benefited from this program. As of the end of the third week of November, the MBG program had reached approximately 41.9 million recipients through 15,369 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across various regions. The government also emphasized that the accelerated distribution is intended to ensure coverage before the end of the fiscal year.
Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara stated that the realization represents 58.2 percent of the total IDR 71 trillion allocated for the MBG budget this year. The MBG program has successfully reached 41.9 million recipients through 15,369 nutrition service units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens across Indonesia. The program has also employed 556,735 workers.
On the other hand, the MBG also promotes social inclusivity by providing equitable access to nutrition throughout Indonesia. This equitable distribution is crucial given that unequal access to food remains a challenge faced by a number of regions. The government hopes that through the MBG, children from vulnerable families will have the same learning opportunities as other community groups. This aligns with the government’s long-term targets of reducing stunting rates, reducing food insecurity, and strengthening the foundations of human development.
In addition to expanding access to nutritious food, the government believes the MBG program contributes to local employment. Official data indicates that the program has employed hundreds of thousands of workers, placed in the SPPG (Food and Nutrition Supplements) and the program’s logistics chain, a figure that further supports the government’s argument that the MBG has an economic multiplier effect at the community level. According to a Ministry of Finance report, employment will reach approximately 556,735 people as of November 18, 2025.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto also emphasized that the MBG program was deliberately implemented as a future investment in the human resources (HR) sector. This is because the program is considered capable of improving the nutrition of Indonesian children and is a Free Nutritious Meal program, providing it at no cost.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, called this program a strategic step to ensure Indonesian children grow up healthy and productive in the future. He also added that the MBG program not only focuses on nutrition but also has a dual impact on the local economy and food security. He said that by relying on raw material supplies from local food sources, each Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) serves 3,000-3,500 participants.
From this number of participants, a daily supply of at least 200 kilograms of rice, 3,500 eggs, 350 chickens, 3,500 catfish, and 450 liters of milk is required. All of these needs are supplied by local farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen. Data at the end of November 2025 recorded that the MBG program involved 34,261 suppliers. Of these, 4,185 cooperatives, 546 Bumdes, 61 Bumdesma, 16,323 MSMEs, and 13,146 other suppliers. Currently, there are at least 13,514 active SPPGs, spread throughout Indonesia.
Regarding funding, the MBG program has a budget allocation of Rp 71 trillion in 2025. Meanwhile, in 2026, the budget for the program will reach Rp 335 trillion. As of the end of November, the 2025 budget had reached Rp 41.3 trillion, or 58% of the total allocation. The National Development Planning Agency (BGN) will increase the remaining funds until the end of 2025.
The high realization figures received mixed reviews. Supporters of the program praised the government’s efforts to accelerate coverage and link nutrition interventions to the human resource development agenda, while critics emphasized the need for improved governance, quality audits, and transparency of recipient data and health incident reporting. Politically, the MBG has also become a topic of considerable media and public attention due to its significant budget implications and on-the-ground impact.
The government aims to focus the implementation of the MBG not only on food distribution but also on strengthening nutrition education, collaborating with local governments, and increasing the capacity of SPPG (Nursing and Nutritional Support Center) to ensure the program’s effectiveness and sustainability. The budget absorption of IDR 41.3 trillion by November 2025 is clear evidence that the MBG has taken root as a national priority program that plays a significant role in Indonesia’s human development.
)* The author is an observer of social and community issues