The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is one of the government’s concrete steps in improving the nutritional quality of Indonesian society. By collaborating with various parties, including the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI), the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), and educational institutions, this program is expected to reduce stunting and malnutrition while also strengthening national food security.
DPR RI, together with BGN, conducted a socialization of the MBG program on Manukan Lor Street, Tandes, Surabaya. With the theme “Together Realizing Quality Nutrition for a Healthy Generation of Indonesia”, the event was attended by around 300 participants, including representatives from DPR RI, Surabaya’s Regional Parliament (DPRD), and BGN.
Lucy Kurniasari, a member of Commission IX of DPR RI, highlighted the importance of establishing MBG kitchens as a key infrastructure for this program. The limited land availability posed a challenge in its implementation. However, this issue must be addressed quickly so that children, toddlers, pregnant, and breastfeeding women can immediately benefit from the program.
As a solution, the MBG kitchen in Manukan Lor is designed to serve 3,000 to 4,000 students within a six-kilometer radius. Lucy emphasized the importance of involving local MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in the distribution of nutritious food to strengthen the local economy. BGN targets the establishment of 30,000 MBG kitchens across Indonesia by 2026. With this achievement, it is expected that access to nutritious food will become more widespread. Surabaya itself has shown success in reducing stunting rates, which resulted in a national award. Lucy reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring there are no high-risk pregnant women or children suffering from malnutrition.
In West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Commission IX of DPR RI member Muazzim Akbar is overseeing the construction of 128 MBG kitchens. Socialization of the program has been carried out in Wanasaba and Selong districts, East Lombok. Each MBG kitchen requires 47 workers from the surrounding community, including cooks, delivery personnel, and food stock managers. This creates new job opportunities.
BGN plans to establish 128 MBG kitchens in NTB in the first semester of 2025, with 22 kitchens starting construction in February 2025. The local economy is expected to grow rapidly due to the involvement of local farmers and livestock breeders in supplying food ingredients. Through this mechanism, farmers and livestock breeders will gain more stable markets, while village communities will also be actively involved in the MBG program through Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes).
The Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) launched the Center of Excellence for the MBG Program. This event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan; the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy; and other relevant officials.
Deputy Minister Fauzan stressed that the MBG program not only impacts the physical growth of children but also supports their mental and character development. Higher education institutions are expected to play an active role in research and evaluation of this program. Universities should take a larger role in providing solutions to societal problems, including improving nutrition quality through MBG.
Meanwhile, Rachmat Pambudy emphasized that MBG is a national priority program that can save Indonesia’s future generations. The program not only saves pregnant women and children but also contributes to the nation’s development. It is part of the effort to achieve Indonesia Golden 2045.
The Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, welcomed the launch of the MBG Center of Excellence at IPB. He noted that universities play a strategic role in enhancing the quality of the MBG program, especially in menu research, nutrition, and food ingredient sourcing. He welcomed the opening of this research and food quality center at IPB, which is a positive step to improve the MBG program.
Since its launch on January 13, 2025, in Sorong City, the MBG program has reached 294 schools, benefiting 59,803 students. Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Fajar Riza Ul Haq, emphasized that MBG is not only about providing meals to students but also part of a broader strategy to improve the quality of education.
Many students who previously arrived at school hungry can now focus more on their studies thanks to this program. The Principal of SD Negeri 24 Rufei, Sorong City, Sientje Martentji Ajomi, stated that MBG has significantly boosted the students’ enthusiasm for learning. The same sentiment was shared by the Principal of SD Negeri 9 Sorong City, Mince Kambu, who noted that after receiving regular nutritious meals, the students have become more motivated to learn.
This program also instills discipline, cleanliness, and healthy eating habits in students. With a regular meal schedule and nutritional oversight, children not only get adequate nutrition but also understand the importance of healthy eating habits.
The success of the MBG program is inseparable from the support of various stakeholders, including the central government, local governments, academia, and society. With solid collaboration, this program is expected to become a real solution to improve the nutritional quality of Indonesian society.
Through the development of thousands of MBG kitchens, job creation, and the involvement of universities in research and evaluation, this program can become a cornerstone in building a healthy and high-quality generation leading to Indonesia Golden 2045.
To ensure that the MBG program runs optimally, the public must also participate actively in supervising food distribution and providing feedback on the program’s effectiveness. Awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition and healthy living habits must continue to be enhanced.
With the steps that have been taken, the MBG program is expected to be a sustainable solution for improving public health and preparing Indonesia’s golden generation in the future.
Contributor to Beritakapuas.com
