By: Gavin Asadit )*
The government continues to intensify the implementation of the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) as one of the national priorities in 2025. This program is now not only focused on improving community nutrition, but is also directed at strengthening food self-sufficiency and encouraging local economic growth. Various improvement, monitoring, and transparency measures are continuously being carried out so that this program, which reaches millions of beneficiaries, runs according to standards and is able to increase public trust.
The MBG program was designed from the beginning to reduce stunting rates, ensure adequate nutrition for school-aged children, and support the health of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The government noted that the implementation of MBG has reached millions of recipients throughout Indonesia with thousands of Nutritional Food Provider Units (SPPG) active every day. In its implementation, this program also involves thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, farmers, and food cooperatives in various regions.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, emphasized that the Free Nutritional Meal Program is a long-term investment for the future of the nation. He said that this program was designed not only as a form of social assistance, but as a foundation for building a healthy and productive generation that will determine the direction of Indonesia’s progress in the future. According to the President, the success of the MBG program is measured in two ways: improving the nutritional quality of the community and its economic impact on local food production. He also considered community participation a crucial factor in ensuring the program’s sustainability and targeted success.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the government is strengthening multi-layered supervision to ensure that all stages of the MBG implementation are carried out in accordance with the principles of food safety and distribution efficiency. Airlangga emphasized that supervision is carried out from upstream to downstream, starting from the process of food procurement, storage, processing, and distribution to beneficiaries. He also explained that the government will not hesitate to impose administrative sanctions or temporarily close down SPPGs found to have violated operational standards. With these firm measures, the government wants to ensure that every beneficiary receives safe, nutritious, and consumable food.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, highlighted the importance of cross-agency coordination for the MBG program to run more effectively. He explained that daily coordination meetings are now held routinely to ensure any issues in the field are promptly addressed. The government, he said, wants to ensure that the implementation of this very large-scale program does not create obstacles in food distribution or quality. He also emphasized that the MBG is not just a short-term project, but part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen national food security through the active involvement of local businesses.
The government, through the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the Ministry of Health, also continues to tighten Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in every food kitchen. Steps such as retraining cooks, inspecting kitchen sanitation and clean water, and sterilizing cutlery are being implemented comprehensively. The government ensures that all food production and distribution processes meet the hygiene and nutritional standards set by national authorities. Several SPPGs that have not met the requirements have been evaluated, while those found to have committed serious violations have been suspended for correction.
From a policy perspective, the government is also expanding data transparency and inviting independent institutions to conduct evaluations. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS), along with other monitoring institutions, has begun conducting a national survey on the impact of the MBG. This evaluation covers the program’s impact on children’s nutritional status, school enrollment rates, and its contribution to the income of local MSMEs. The evaluation data will be publicly disclosed as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
In addition to its health impacts, the MBG program has proven to have a multiplier effect on the local economy. Thousands of food MSMEs and regional cooperatives are now part of the program’s supply chain. The government hopes that by strengthening the involvement of the micro and medium sectors, the MBG will be able to create a new economic ecosystem that encourages the rotation of domestic food production. This step is expected to reduce dependence on imports of certain food ingredients while creating new jobs for local communities.
The government recognizes that the challenges in implementing the MBG are significant. Public scrutiny of technical issues in the field is crucial for comprehensive improvement. Therefore, the public communication strategy is being strengthened to ensure the public receives accurate information, including information on corrective measures that have been taken. The government is opening up opportunities for the public to participate in monitoring and provide input regarding program implementation in their respective regions.
With these steps, the government affirms that the Free Nutritional Meal Program will continue to be developed as a national strategic program with a direct impact on public welfare. Through cross-agency synergy, strict oversight, and active community participation, the government is optimistic that the Free Nutritional Meal Program can increase public trust and accelerate improvements in the quality of Indonesia’s human resources.
)* The author is an observer of social and community issues.