By: Arik Hidayat )*
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is one of the government’s strategic steps in developing the quality of Indonesia’s human resources from an early stage. This program is designed to ensure that every child receives adequate nutrition so they can grow healthy, strong, and optimally prepared for the educational process. The government understands that human development cannot be postponed, and therefore, MBG is positioned as a crucial foundation for the nation’s future.
President Prabowo Subianto explained that the idea for this program stemmed from his firsthand experience observing the condition of children in various regions. He often encountered children who were significantly smaller than their age due to stunting and malnutrition. This experience demonstrated the reality that nutrition is a serious challenge that must be addressed nationally. The government then developed the MBG program as a concrete solution to improve overall nutritional quality.
The President also assessed that Indonesia has the capacity to implement a program of this magnitude, as several other countries have demonstrated its impact. He noted that in addition to improving children’s health, the program also has the potential to stimulate the local economy. When the government purchases food from farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs, the village economic chain is revitalized, with its impact extending to the lowest levels of society.
Through this approach, the government wants to ensure that the program’s benefits are felt not only by children as the primary beneficiaries, but also by their families and surrounding communities. As the local economy grows, the program’s sustainability is strengthened because many parties will be involved and directly impacted. This is why the MBG is considered more than just a nutrition policy, but rather a comprehensive development strategy.
Andri Frediansyah, Director of the Institute’s Center for Justice and Resilience, stated that the MBG program demonstrates the government’s commitment to the next generation. He views this program as a long-term investment that prioritizes the quality of human resources. In his view, this program has significant potential to significantly reduce stunting rates, especially in areas that have historically experienced chronic malnutrition.
Andri views nutritional security as part of national resilience. He believes that healthy children will have better learning abilities, making them better prepared to contribute to society in the future. Therefore, MBG not only provides food but also instills hope and creates opportunities for children to grow up without health barriers.
He also believes that this program reflects the government’s commitment to equitable welfare. MBG aligns with the constitutional ideal of improving the nation’s life. Through this program, the government aims to ensure that every child, regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status, has equal access to a healthy and productive start to life.
Andri encouraged all elements of society, especially the younger generation, to participate in disseminating education about balanced nutrition. He believes public participation will strengthen the program’s effectiveness and ensure its sustainability. He hopes the public will partner with the government, both as supervisors and supporters, so that the MBG implementation is on target and achieves optimal results.
Support for this program also comes from the private sector. PT Reasuransi Nasional Indonesia (Nasional RE) is one of the companies taking the initiative to strengthen the implementation of MBG through a nutritious food distribution program in elementary schools. By 2025, they delivered hundreds of nutritious meals to students in two different regions as a token of their commitment to the nutritional quality of Indonesian children.
The program began in Garut, West Java, with the distribution of nutritious meals to over one hundred students. A similar program was subsequently implemented in North Sulawesi to support the nutritional needs of children in Eastern Indonesia. This initiative demonstrates that the private sector views the MBG as a vital program that deserves joint support.
RE’s National Corporate Secretary, Donny Trihardono, explained that ensuring adequate nutrition from an early age is the foundation for developing a superior and competitive generation. Through involvement in this program, the company aims to directly support the government’s development agenda. According to Donny, such contributions are crucial to ensuring that national development does not rely solely on the government but involves various stakeholders.
Through this social activity, Nasional RE affirms its commitment to making a positive impact on society, not only through business performance but also by contributing to improving the quality of life for children. The company hopes this initiative will strengthen the government’s efforts to ensure equitable nutrition across Indonesia.
This kind of private sector involvement demonstrates that the MBG has become a national movement. This program addresses more than just nutritional needs, but also builds the nation’s future through multi-stakeholder collaboration. The government, community, and business sectors are working toward a shared vision to produce a healthier generation of Indonesians better prepared to face global challenges.
With its increasingly sophisticated design and expanding support, the MBG program demonstrates that human resource development requires an integrated approach. This program goes beyond simply feeding children, but also builds the nation’s foundation by improving the quality of life for today’s children. The government has paved the way, and broad support from various parties reinforces that Indonesia is moving toward a brighter and more competitive future.