Jakarta — The government, through synergy across ministries and agencies, has recorded remarkable achievements in the national priority Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) program. As of the last week of October 2025, the program had successfully reached more than 40.5 million beneficiaries, marking a significant leap in efforts to fulfill nutritional needs for young people and vulnerable groups across the archipelago.
According to the latest data from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the MBG program has now opened 13,514 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across 38 provinces, 509 regencies/cities, and 7,022 sub-districts across Indonesia. The program’s budget absorption has also reached approximately IDR 35.6 trillion, equivalent to approximately 50.1% of the budget target allocated for this year.
This achievement also reinforces the government’s commitment to ensure the program reaches 82.9 million recipients by the end of 2025.
“Today, there are 13,514 Nutrition Service Units spread across 38 provinces, 509 regencies, and 7,022 sub-districts, with the potential to serve 39.5 million. By the end of this month, we will likely have served 40 million,” said Dadan.
He also emphasized that the MBG program is not just about the number of recipients, but also a driver of the local economy, including providing jobs and strengthening the supply chain of nutritious food from farmers and MSMEs.
Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, Expert Staff to the Minister for Social Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, added that the program’s success also holds the “seeds” of long-term change.
“How about this? As I mentioned, the impact is long-term. Changing behavior isn’t easy and requires continuous effort, from birth through elementary school and junior high school. It requires providing a diverse diet and accompanying education. It can’t be done quickly. The impact of a nutritious food program will only be felt decades later, or in subsequent generations,” said Pangkas.
The MBG program is not just a short-term solution, but an investment in Indonesia’s human resources for decades to come.
Equally important, Zulkifli Hasan, Coordinating Minister for Food, emphasized that this program is a “major step towards improving national nutrition” and simultaneously boosting a people’s economy based on domestic food production.
“368,000 tons of chicken eggs are worth IDR 11 trillion, 663,000 tons of chicken meat IDR 26.5 trillion, 415,000 tons of fish IDR 17.8 trillion, and 2.3 million tons of rice IDR 31 trillion,” said Zulkifli.
According to him, the multiplier effect of the MBG program has begun to be felt in many regions, including the positive movement in food commodity prices due to increased demand.
The government continues to strengthen regulations and inter-agency coordination to ensure the MBG program operates with high food quality, safety, and hygiene standards. The National Agency for National Development Planning (BGN) has noted logistical and operational challenges, particularly in remote areas, and is committed to continuous improvement to ensure services are not only fast but also orderly.
This achievement further demonstrates the MBG policy’s proactive approach to ensuring nutritional fulfillment, strengthening national food security, and supporting the younger generation to grow up healthy, intelligent, and productive. With this momentum, the government is optimistic that Indonesia will reach its target of 82.9 million recipients before the end of the year, while also affirming its commitment to making nutrition a strong foundation for a Progressive Indonesia.*