Jakarta — The government has expressed optimism that the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) will become one of the main instruments in reducing child stunting rates in Indonesia. The national priority program, which began gradual implementation in 2025, is designed to strengthen nutritional fulfillment for the community, particularly for schoolchildren, toddlers, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
The MBG program is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. Through the regular provision of standardized nutritious meals, the government aims to ensure that Indonesian children receive adequate nutritional intake during their growth period, thereby preventing stunting from an early stage.
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the free nutritious meals program is a long-term investment in the nation’s future. According to him, improving children’s nutritional quality must become a national priority because it is directly related to the quality of Indonesia’s future generations.
“The free nutritious meals program is an investment in the future of Indonesian children. We want to ensure that every Indonesian child grows up healthy, strong, and able to learn optimally,” the President said.
In 2026, the government has also prepared significant budgetary support to ensure the program runs optimally. Hundreds of trillions of rupiah have been allocated through the State Budget (APBN) to support the provision of nutritious food ingredients, the operation of nutrition service kitchens, food distribution, as well as the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation systems for the program across regions.
Since its launch, the MBG program has continued to expand its coverage of beneficiaries. Tens of millions of schoolchildren in various regions of Indonesia have gradually begun receiving the program’s benefits. The government believes that this expansion will have a tangible impact on improving children’s nutritional quality while accelerating the reduction of stunting rates nationwide.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, stated that the MBG program is designed as a systematic nutritional intervention integrated with various other health development programs. He emphasized that fulfilling children’s daily nutritional needs is a key factor in preventing stunting and improving children’s physical and cognitive development.
“The free nutritious meals program is not only intended to provide food for children, but to ensure balanced nutritional quality so they can grow optimally. With a well-planned and nationwide approach, we are optimistic that this program will have a significant impact in reducing stunting in Indonesia,” Dadan said.
In addition to its positive impact on children’s health, the MBG program is also expected to stimulate regional economic activity. The program involves various stakeholders within the food supply chain, including farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and micro and small enterprises that supply local food ingredients.
With the involvement of multiple sectors, the MBG program not only improves the nutritional quality of the community but also opens new economic opportunities at the regional level. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously evaluate and refine the program’s implementation to ensure its benefits can be widely felt by the public.
