By: Aristika Utami
Indonesia has now entered a hopeful phase of economic recovery. However, economic recovery does not only depend on the recovery of large sectors such as industry and trade, but also on innovative steps that focus on people’s welfare.
One of the steps that has begun to show great potential is the Free Nutritious Meal Program, an initiative that prioritizes access to healthy food for all levels of society, especially those who are economically constrained. More than just a social assistance program, MBG has the power to stimulate the economy at the local level—opening up job opportunities, supporting local products, and increasing people’s purchasing power.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program aims to ensure that citizens, especially those from low-income families, have access to healthy food at affordable prices or even free. With this program, it is hoped that the community can obtain adequate nutrition and reduce stunting, malnutrition, and increase endurance, which in turn has a positive impact on productivity and quality of life.
In some areas, this program has been started with the aim of reducing poverty, improving social welfare, and providing a positive impact on the local economy. The provision of nutritious food does not only involve the government, but also various sectors such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private companies, and local communities. All elements of society play an active role in supporting the smooth running of this program.
With the free nutritious meal program, people can get the energy and nutrition they need to work optimally. Better health means fewer illnesses, fewer missed days, and higher productivity. Healthy workers tend to be more efficient in their jobs, which in turn increases economic output at the local level.
This program can also empower the local economy by encouraging local food production. By purchasing nutritious food ingredients from local farmers and producers, this program can create a stable demand for local products, which will increase the income of farmers and micro-entrepreneurs. For example, if this program utilizes food ingredients from organic farming or local processed products, it will create a mutually beneficial economic ecosystem at the community level.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto said that his party is optimistic that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program will not only improve children’s nutrition, but can also boost the regional economy because it involves Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Thus, not only the agricultural sector benefits, but also Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the food processing and distribution sectors. The free nutritious meal program can also trigger the growth of new jobs in various sectors, such as logistics, distribution, and marketing of local food products.
Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the Free Nutritious Meals program is expected to increase economic activities in the regions, especially MSMEs, create job opportunities and encourage economic growth.
Another benefit, in the long term, this program will reduce poverty rates and increase people’s purchasing power, which can then contribute to local economic growth. Where, when people are no longer burdened by food costs, they can divert their spending to other needs, such as education, health, or even investment in small businesses. This will create a positive multiplier effect for the local economy.
Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that the community and MSMEs are enthusiastic about supporting the provision of food for the MBG program to create new business opportunities, this will increase the circulation of money in the regions which will ultimately drive the economy.
The success of this program is highly dependent on the active participation of the community. Therefore, it is important to involve the community in every stage of the planning and implementation of the program, starting from the selection of raw materials, distribution methods, to the evaluation of program results. This participation not only increases the sense of ownership of the program, but also strengthens social solidarity and the bond between the government, the community, and the private sector.
Adequate infrastructure is essential to ensure the smooth distribution of nutritious food to remote areas. The government and related parties need to work together to improve infrastructure, be it transportation, distribution networks, or adequate storage facilities. This will help reach more people and ensure that the food distributed remains nutritious and safe to consume.
In addition to providing nutritious food, this program must also be accompanied by education about the importance of a healthy diet. Counseling on balanced nutrition, healthy cooking methods, and healthy lifestyles must be carried out so that the community can optimize the benefits of this program.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program is not only a solution to overcome the problem of hunger or malnutrition, but also a great opportunity for the revival of the regional economy. By utilizing existing potential and involving various parties in its implementation, this program can create a broad positive impact on social welfare and the local economy. The government and society must work together to ensure that this momentum is utilized optimally to achieve a greater goal, namely equitable prosperity and sustainable economic growth.
)* the author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute (LSISI)
