Jakarta – In supporting the Free Nutritious Meals program, the government has provided a budget of Rp 71 trillion until the end of 2025 with a target of 19.47 million beneficiaries. The supply of raw materials will be fulfilled by cooperatives spread throughout Indonesia.
Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said that no imported raw materials are used in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Instead, thousands of cooperatives and MSMEs become suppliers of the necessary materials.
“Production sector cooperatives throughout Indonesia are ready to supply MBG’s kitchen needs with various commodities such as rice, fish, eggs, chicken, vegetables, milk, meat and fruits,” said Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie.
Currently, there are 1,336 cooperative units in Indonesia that are directed to be involved in this MBG program. Some of these cooperatives have been proposed to become service unit partners for the MBG program. Including strict assistance to standardize their kitchens with BPOM so that they are ready as SPPG managers according to standards.
“The role of cooperatives in MBG includes supporting local farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders as providers of nutritious food, managing Nutrition Provision Service Units (SPPG) and logistics distribution,” said Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie.
Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie also ensured that all raw materials procurement is domestic products or there are no imports. This is intended so that the economic cycle of the community can rotate and provide a large multiplier effect for the regional economy.
“This will have a big impact on the community because what is moving is the lower economy, so for example, farmers will be enthusiastic because there is an offtaker, namely the National Nutrition Agency (BGN),” said Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie.
In addition, the cost for each portion of food in the Free Nutritious Meal program is not limited to just IDR 10,000. This is as explained by Deputy II of the Presidential Communications Office, Noudhy Valdrino.
“So we do not focus on how much one portion costs, but the most important thing is the efficiency of the budget. If indeed Rp10,000 can be done and at some points Rp10,000 can be done,” said Noudhy.
Noudhy added that the budget for each portion of food is not tied to Rp10,000. If a larger amount is needed, it can still be accommodated.
“So I think indeed from all the heads, including the Head of BGN, BGN officials, all conveyed that the budget that is focused on is how efficient it is. If for example it can be from a period of maybe Rp 10,000, some are Rp 12,000, Rp 15,000,” said Noudhy.
