Papua – Acting Governor of Papua, Agus Fatoni, reiterated his commitment to ensuring the quality of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in the Yapen Islands. He made this statement during a direct inspection of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen in Serui City, which serves thousands of schoolchildren daily.
“So, we are currently at the Free Nutritious Meals kitchen in the Yapen Islands in Seruni City. We are observing the process of preparing these meals, from the ingredients to processing them until they are ready to be distributed to schoolchildren,” Fatoni said in his statement.
Fatoni inspected various kitchen facilities, from the nutrition consultation room, staff room, production area, storage, food inspection, and packaging. He ensured that the kitchen equipment, especially the stove, was safe to use.
Three SPPG kitchens are currently operating in the Yapen Islands, one of which is in Serui City, which has been running since February 2025.
“This is quite good, and it’s been going on for quite some time, since February 2025. In the Yapen Islands Regency, there are three kitchens already operating, and others will follow,” he explained.
Fatoni emphasized that this kitchen plays a vital role in supporting President Prabowo’s MBG program, with distribution to eight schools and the provision of nutritious food to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
“This is a kitchen that serves schools, so it’s distributed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., reaching eight schools. This is done continuously so that the food can be delivered on time,” he said.
Jayapura Regent Yunus Wonda also emphasized the importance of involving indigenous communities in ensuring the success of the MBG program in his region. He stated that indigenous communities possess natural and cultural resources that can be integrated into the program.
“We cannot talk about MBG without involving indigenous communities, because they are the ones who depend directly on local food sources such as vegetables, fish, and other garden produce. They must be empowered and actively involved,” Yunus said in Sentani.
The Jayapura Regency Government is now mapping the role of indigenous communities in each village, from production to distribution of local food, to ensure the sustainability of the program.
“We want indigenous communities to be not just beneficiaries, but also key actors. This is crucial so that the program isn’t just a short-term initiative but becomes a deeply ingrained habit,” he added.
Yunus added that the district government is collaborating with traditional leaders to promote healthy eating patterns and the use of local foods, so that the synergy between the government, traditional communities, education, and health can truly improve children’s nutrition and the village economy.
“This program is a great opportunity for indigenous communities, as it will generate significant revenue in the village. Therefore, I encourage you to garden and plant crops, as well as cultivate fish and livestock,” he added.