Government and Private Sector Synergy Supports the Success of the Free Nutritious Meals Program
Jakarta – The administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka continues to implement the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) across various regions in Indonesia. President Prabowo has emphasized his commitment to ensuring that Indonesian children receive nutritious food, in line with the government’s efforts to improve the quality of human resources.
The MBG program was launched on January 6, 2025, starting with a pilot scheme in several areas, and it is now expanding so that all beneficiaries can soon experience its benefits. As one of the flagship programs designed during the campaign period, MBG aims to guarantee sufficient nutritional access for school children and vulnerable groups. The government targets the program to improve the health, competitiveness, and welfare of Indonesia’s future generations.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka emphasized the high enthusiasm from the public for this program, which has garnered widespread attention from the outset. According to him, the MBG program is eagerly anticipated by the public due to its tangible benefits in supporting the growth and achievements of Indonesian children.
“Free Nutritious Meals is a program that has long been awaited by the public. The government is committed to ensuring that its implementation runs smoothly and reaches all intended beneficiaries,” said Vice President Gibran.
In line with this, the government continues to evaluate and refine the program’s mechanism to make it more effective and targeted. Vice President Gibran also encouraged the public to participate in ensuring that this program runs optimally.
The MBG program is not just about food assistance; it is also a long-term investment in creating a healthier, smarter, and more competitive generation. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, stated that this program aligns with national efforts to reduce stunting and improve the quality of education by fulfilling the nutritional needs of schoolchildren.
“MBG is the government’s concrete step in improving the quality of human resources from an early age. With adequate nutrition, children will be better prepared to face the challenges of the future,” said Minister Muhadjir Effendy.
Meanwhile, hundreds of elementary school students on Pari Island, Seribu Islands Regency, have benefited from the MBG program, supported by the Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs Association (IWAPI). Nurlaila, Chair of the IWAPI Seribu Islands Branch, explained that the organization supports the government’s program by distributing nutritious food to schoolchildren and breastfeeding mothers.
“We distributed 450 nutritious meals to schoolchildren and breastfeeding mothers as a form of IWAPI’s support for the government program,” said Nurlaila.
The government is committed to continually improving the quality and effectiveness of the MBG program by involving various stakeholders, including local governments and the private sector. With strong synergy, this program is expected to become a tangible solution for improving public welfare and creating a healthier and superior future generation.
