Government Ensures MBG 3B Prioritizes Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Mothers, and Non-PAUD Toddlers

Jakarta – The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has reaffirmed that the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) will prioritize the 3B group—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and non-PAUD toddlers—as primary beneficiaries before expanding coverage to schools or other students.

This priority forms part of the national strategy to prevent stunting and improve the health quality of the younger generation starting from the first 1,000 days of life. The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, emphasized the importance of this initial focus during a press conference in Jakarta.

“I must stress this because there has been a difference in understanding. When new SPPG units are established, there are even partners who immediately initiate cooperation with schools. In fact, when a new kitchen is built by partners, the first group to be identified should be these vulnerable groups (toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers). This is the priority,” he said.

According to Sony, this policy distinguishes Indonesia from many other countries that only implement school meal programs.

“Indonesia is not merely a school meal program, but a school meal plus because it also considers the 3B group,” he added.

The government has also adapted implementation strategies across regions according to local conditions. In Bali, for example, the Provincial BGN Coordinator affirmed that despite the extended holiday period, MBG distribution has remained focused on 3B beneficiaries.

“For MBG, the program continues to run, but it focuses on 3B beneficiaries—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers—during the recent extended holiday and up to now,” said Bali BGN Coordinator Risca Christina when met in Jakarta.

This prioritization policy is also aligned with cross-institutional government efforts to strengthen nutritional fulfillment and public health. According to the latest data, MBG has reached tens of millions of beneficiaries since its launch, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers across various regions of Indonesia.

The MBG program for the 3B group is not merely about providing nutritious meals, but represents a strategic investment in Indonesia’s human capital to support the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. The government continues to strengthen coordination and policy implementation to ensure that nutritious food distribution is well-targeted, safe, and effective.