By: Vina Gayatri ) *
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) which the government has been implementing since early January 2025 is one of the concrete steps to support economic equality in Indonesia. This program not only aims to provide nutritional intake to children, but also strengthens the community’s economy, especially at the village level. This step has received appreciation from various parties, including the National Economic Council, which has seen its positive impact directly.
Chairman of the National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, observed that the MBG program has brought about significant changes in the consumption patterns of school children. Children who previously relied solely on pocket money to buy food that was often less nutritious now have access to healthy and quality food.
Luhut considered this a good first step to support the future of Indonesia’s young generation. In addition to direct benefits for children, the program also provides an economic boost for rural communities.
According to Luhut, money circulation in the village increased because the food needs for this program were supplied by local producers. This created new economic activities, such as the sale of vegetables, meat, and other necessities, which had a positive impact on the welfare of the village community.
The MBG program is also recognized as being able to ease the burden of household consumption. Member of the National Economic Council, Arief Anshory Yusuf, noted that with this program, families with school-age children can save on daily expenses.
If one child receives nutritious food equivalent to IDR 10,000 per day, a family with two children can save up to IDR 400,000 per month. This amount is almost equivalent to the poverty line in many areas, thus providing space for families to meet other needs, such as education and health. In the long term, this is expected to increase people’s purchasing power and reduce economic pressure on vulnerable groups.
The multiplier effect of this program is also seen in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector which is the backbone of food supplies. Researcher from the Center of Reform on Economic (CORE) Indonesia, Eliza Mardian, explained that the MBG program creates new economic opportunities, especially in rural areas. Local producers, such as farmers and ranchers, get a stable market for their products.
In addition, this program also opens up new jobs for people who previously did not have a steady income, including housewives who can work in the kitchen or help distribute food to schools. With the increase in food orders for this program, MSMEs are also able to absorb more workers, creating a widespread positive impact.
The success of the MBG program is inseparable from efficient logistics management and the involvement of cooperatives as a liaison between local producers and program implementers in the field. Cooperatives are an important forum to ensure that the required food ingredients are available in sufficient quantities and on time.
In addition, cooperatives also play a role in a transparent payment system, so that all parties involved can feel the economic benefits fairly. The role of cooperatives is one of the keys to the sustainability of the program and ensures that its positive impacts can be felt evenly.
In its implementation, the MBG program is in line with the government’s agenda to reduce poverty and improve social welfare. The government recognizes that good nutrition is an important foundation for supporting children’s growth while reducing socio-economic disparities.
By ensuring that children receive nutritious food every day, this program not only improves their quality of life, but also contributes to the formation of a healthier and more productive generation. This is a long-term investment for the future of Indonesia.
Support for this program also came from various parties, including research institutions and economic observers. They see that the approach taken by the government through MBG is a strategic step to create a more inclusive economic equality.
By involving various elements of society, from local producers to cooperatives, this program not only focuses on providing assistance, but also encouraging community economic independence. The long-term effects are expected to be able to reduce economic inequality and strengthen economic resilience at the grassroots level.
Although this program is still in the early stages of implementation, the results achieved have shown significant positive impacts. The government is expected to continue to commit to increasing the scope and quality of this program, so that more children and families can feel the benefits. In addition, collaboration between the government, cooperatives, MSMEs, and the community needs to be strengthened to ensure the sustainability of this program in the long term.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program is a real example of how government intervention can create positive changes in various fields, from education, health, to the economy. With full support from various parties, this program is expected to be an effective solution to overcome the challenges of economic equality while building a brighter future for future generations.
)* Contributor to the Reading Window Institute
