By: Aulia Rachman
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, launched by the government on January 6, 2025, is not just an ordinary food aid program, but a strategic initiative that touches many aspects of people’s lives—nutrition, education, the local economy, the welfare of farmers and MSMEs, and the hope of realizing Indonesia Emas 2045. The existence of MBG has brought a breath of fresh air to the socio-economic situation, especially amidst numerous global and domestic challenges. The multiplier effect generated by this program deserves real appreciation because it is felt directly and sustainably by various levels of society.
The Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, stated that the MBG program not only impacts children but also mothers and the wider community. With this program, economic growth will occur in every village, which will drive the economy throughout Indonesia.
Since its launch, MBG has reached millions of beneficiaries. According to official data from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), within 6.5 months of its national launch, the program has served more than 6.2 million people across Indonesia, through thousands of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) spread across various provinces. The number of service points continues to grow—as of June 22, 2025, 1,837 SPPGs were operating in nearly all provinces. The target is ambitious: by November 2025, it is projected to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries with tens of thousands of SPPGs.
From a nutritional and quality-of-life perspective, the MBG is a solution to the issues of malnutrition and stunting, which have long been a structural burden in Indonesia. The program has targeted vulnerable groups such as children from preschool to high school, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. With better nutrition, children have a greater chance of growing physically and cognitively healthy, which in turn will improve their academic performance and potential productivity in the future. But beyond that, the impact of the MBG goes beyond nutrition—it extends far into the economic and social spheres.
The local economy experiences the multiplier effect of the MBG in various ways. MSMEs, farmers, livestock breeders, raw material suppliers, kitchen managers at the Food and Beverage Service Provider (SPPG), transportation workers, and various supporting service providers are involved in the MBG supply chain. For example, the government encourages the use of local food ingredients in this program. Almost the majority of the food ingredients used by the SPPG are allocated from the domestic agricultural sector.
Economic figures also illustrate the magnitude of this multiplier effect. As an illustration, from the disbursed budget—approximately IDR 8.2 trillion—it has been reported that economic turnover in the community has increased by approximately IDR 46 trillion. The government and analysts note that public spending through the MBG has impacted employment, wage growth, and local economic growth, particularly when implemented with the involvement of local communities, local food suppliers, and MSMEs.
This economic impact also makes the government optimistic that the MBG will contribute to national economic growth. Several reports estimate that this program could contribute to gross domestic product (GDP) growth, create employment, and increase wages. Even the Minister of Cooperatives and MSMEs and regional officials have stated that the MBG not only provides nutritional intake but also serves as an instrument for economic empowerment—by opening new business opportunities and strengthening village economies.
The Head of the National Development Planning Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that the MBG’s multiplier effect is proof that this program is not just a nutritional intervention, but also a strategic pillar towards national food self-sufficiency and security.
Appreciation for the MBG is also evident in the leadership’s stance at the national level. President Prabowo Subianto stated that the MBG is a long-term investment, not just about feeding, but also about building a quality generation and reducing poverty. In Plenary Cabinet Sessions and various other occasions, he emphasized that the success of the MBG will be seen if large targets—such as 82.9 million beneficiaries—are achieved with high-quality implementation: cleanliness, safety, and adequate nutrition.
Appreciation for the MBG comes not only from the government or economic analysts, but also from those directly involved. Cattle farmers who benefit from price changes, MSMEs who receive consistent orders, housewives who earn income, and children who experience the benefits of better nutrition and concentration in their studies—all are living witnesses to the multiplier effect of MBG. This appreciation arises because MBG is not just a “free meal program”; it is a driver of the people’s economy, a motivator for local businesses, and a pillar of prosperity.
Thus, the multiplier effect of MBG willcontinues to expand—not only at the microeconomic level, but also targeting more macro-structural changes: poverty alleviation, improving human resource quality, food security, and economic equality.
In conclusion, the MBG program deserves recognition because it has a tangible multiplier effect on society. From nutrition, to the local economy, from empowering small businesses, to human resource development, the MBG demonstrates that well-designed public interventions can have broad and sustainable impacts. With continued attention and cooperation from all parties, the desired outcome—a healthier, more independent, and more prosperous Indonesia—can be achieved through concrete initiatives like the MBG.
)* Public Policy Observer
