By: Puteri Anggini
The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) was initiated to improve the health and education quality of Indonesian children, and it has become one of the government’s top priorities. The MBG program is not just about providing free meals at schools; it is part of a larger strategy to enhance the health and education of Indonesia’s children. The government is committed to expanding this program to reach more children across the country.
Launched in early 2025, the MBG program is expected to be a tangible solution in accelerating the reduction of the national stunting rate. With its primary targets being school-aged children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers, this program aims to ensure vulnerable groups receive adequate nutrition to support optimal growth and development.
The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) emphasize the importance of involving all parties to make this program a success. Ashabul Kahfi, Head of the Health Commission of DPR RI, emphasized that the program is not just a food aid initiative, but a strategic step towards creating the Golden Generation of 2045. According to him, the current stunting rate of 21.7% shows that Indonesia still faces significant challenges in meeting the nutritional needs of its population.
Indonesia faces a major challenge in addressing stunting and malnutrition, which have wide-ranging implications for the quality of human resources. Children who experience nutritional deficiencies early on are at risk of growth disorders, cognitive impairments, and reduced productivity in the future. Therefore, the MBG policy is an essential tool in building a healthier, smarter, and more competitive generation.
In addition to health benefits, the program also has a positive impact on the national economy. By partnering with farmers, breeders, and fishermen as primary food suppliers, the MBG is expected to stimulate the domestic production sector. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will also be involved through the Food and Nutrition Centers (SPPG) or MBG Kitchens, which have now reached 245 units with a target of 5,000 units. The involvement of the economic sector shows that the MBG program is not just a social aid project, but also an effort to empower the local economy.
Furthermore, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stressed the importance of a preventive approach to ensure public health. He emphasized that stunting prevention should start during pregnancy by ensuring adequate nutrition for pregnant women. This highlights that the MBG program should not only focus on children but also on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, who are key factors in preventing stunting from an early age.
Support for the MBG program also comes from the Chairperson of the Central Leadership of Muslimat NU, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who stated that this program is a form of President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to creating a strong, intelligent, and character-driven generation for Indonesia. With MBG, it is hoped that no child will experience hunger at school, allowing them to grow and develop optimally.
President Prabowo himself affirmed that the budget for MBG will be maintained to ensure Indonesian children receive nutritious food. He even expressed readiness to save on international business trip budgets to allocate more funds for this program. According to him, what matters most now is taking real steps to eliminate poverty and improve the welfare of the people, one of which is through providing adequate food.
The success of similar programs in developed countries can serve as an inspiration for Indonesia. European countries, for example, have succeeded in improving the quality of human resources through strong policies in nutrition and education. With a systematic approach and the involvement of various stakeholders, Indonesia can also achieve similar targets.
Ultimately, the MBG program is a positive step that should be supported by all elements of society. This program is not just about meeting basic needs, but also a long-term investment to improve the quality of future generations. The government is expected to continue optimizing the implementation of this program, both in terms of budget, distribution, and sustainability, so that its benefits can be maximized for all Indonesians. Society must continue to support all government policies to ensure that development programs run smoothly and provide broad benefits for the entire population.
The MBG program is a progressive step toward creating Indonesia’s Golden Generation of 2045, where healthy and intelligent young people will be the main pillars of national development. With this program in place, it is hoped that the stunting rate will continue to decline, and the quality of life for the Indonesian people will improve. The success of this program depends not only on the government but also on the active participation of all societal elements to ensure its maximum benefits.
The author is a student from Yogyakarta
