Government Collaborates with Religious Organizations to Support Free Nutritious Meal Program

By Malik Syahputra
The government continues to intensify collaborative efforts to successfully implement the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, one of the strategic initiatives of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. To ensure the program’s success, the government is engaging religious community organizations (Ormas) as key partners in its implementation. The active role of these organizations is crucial in ensuring that the distribution of nutritious food is effective and reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo H.R. Muhammad Syafi’i, emphasized the importance of involving Islamic organizations in this program. As entities with extensive networks spread across the country, these organizations are expected to help implement MBG by ensuring that targeted children receive optimal benefits. Additionally, their involvement can play a role in nutritional education for the community, making this program not only about providing nutritious food but also raising awareness of the importance of a healthy diet.
President Prabowo Subianto aims for 82.9 million children to benefit from the MBG program by the end of 2025, accelerating the original target set for 2026. The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, stated that this acceleration requires full support from various societal elements, including religious organizations. Three main factors determine the program’s success: budget, human resources, and infrastructure. In terms of infrastructure, 30,000 Nutritional Service Units (SPPG) will be established, with 1,542 funded by the state budget (APBN) and the rest realized through partnership programs. This presents an opportunity for religious organizations to participate in building nutrition service facilities across different regions.
The involvement of religious organizations in the MBG program is not limited to food distribution; it also opens significant opportunities in the economic sector. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, stressed that these organizations can act as suppliers of raw materials or even establish cooperatives focusing on managing SPPG units. This way, religious organizations contribute not only to improving community nutrition but also to strengthening their members’ economic conditions. Cooperatives managed by religious organizations could provide economic resilience for communities while creating new job opportunities.
In the operational framework of MBG, each SPPG unit is targeted to serve approximately 3,000 beneficiaries daily. Therefore, having an adequate and skilled workforce is crucial. Religious organizations can recruit their members or local residents to work in SPPG units, enabling direct economic empowerment at the community level. With their involvement, nutritious food distribution will not only proceed smoothly but also generate broader socio-economic impacts.
Support from religious organizations for the MBG program also serves as a tangible manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation in building a healthier and more prosperous Indonesia. With their strong networks and close ties to local communities, these organizations hold a strategic role in overseeing and ensuring the program’s implementation is transparent and accountable. Furthermore, they can help educate the public on the importance of consuming nutritious food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for children and beneficiary families.
The government acknowledges that the program’s success depends not only on technical aspects and funding but also on broad community acceptance and participation. Therefore, synergy with religious organizations is an unavoidable strategic step. By collaborating with these groups, the MBG program can be implemented more effectively and reach its intended targets while also reinforcing values of solidarity and social responsibility within society.
Moving forward, the involvement of religious organizations in the MBG program is expected to continue increasing in line with the program’s expanding reach. The government and these organizations must ensure that every Indonesian child has access to quality nutritious food, fostering a healthier and more intelligent future generation. This collaboration is not only about sustaining the program but also a concrete expression of collective effort in building a more advanced and prosperous Indonesia.
The MBG program also opens up opportunities for innovation in the food sector. With established nutritional standards, various stakeholders, including academics and research institutions, can contribute to developing more efficient and sustainable nutritious food solutions. This effort not only enhances the quality of food provided through the program but also drives the advancement of food technology in Indonesia.
In its implementation, the government also emphasizes strict monitoring to ensure that the program runs as expected. The involvement of religious organizations in oversight functions is crucial to guaranteeing that allocated funds are used transparently and responsibly. Moreover, regular evaluations of the program’s effectiveness are part of the government’s strategy to improve its execution.
With all the benefits it offers, the MBG program is not merely a government initiative but also a national movement involving various societal elements. The role of religious organizations in ensuring its success benefits not only direct recipients but also the broader economic and social well-being. Through close cooperation between the government and the community, this program can be a significant step toward a healthier, more prosperous, and self-sufficient Indonesia.
The author is a social policy analyst.