Jakarta The government ensures that the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) will continue during the school holidays. This decision was taken to ensure the continuity of nutritional intake for children, especially those from underprivileged families and living in areas vulnerable to malnutrition.
This decision is a strategic step in ensuring the sustainability of nutrition for Indonesian children, especially those living in areas vulnerable to nutrition or coming from families with economic limitations.
During school holidays, the risk of malnutrition can increase due to limited access to healthy food at home. Therefore, the government ensures that the MBG program continues to run, answering real needs during the academic holidays.
President Prabowo explained the importance of the MBG program for national development. According to him, the sustainability of the MBG program is crucial to accelerate the decline in stunting rates and strengthen national nutritional resilience.
The MBG program is not just about feeding, but an important part of building the nation’s future. We cannot allow Indonesian children to grow up in malnutrition, President Prabowo stressed.
Similarly, the Spokesperson for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Redy Hendra Gunawan explained that his party ensures that the MBG program continues to be distributed during school holidays. Distribution is carried out by combining packaged and ready-to-eat foods.
“MBG distribution will continue for six days. The frequency of delivery is on Monday and Thursday, with a combination of ready-to-eat food and packaged food,” he said.
Redy explained that the implementation of MBG during school holidays will be adjusted to the conditions and needs of each region. Some of the schemes implemented include through community public kitchens, nutrition service posts at health facilities, and direct distribution to the homes of beneficiary students.
Local governments have the flexibility to adjust service models during school holidays, but remain under supervision and coordination with BGN and the Ministry of Education, he said.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, said that as President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship program, MBG also shows the direction of national development that focuses on early intervention and prevention, not just handling problems when they have worsened.
The MBG program reflects a new direction of national development that is more proactive and visionary. The focus is no longer just on dealing with problems after they occur, but preventing them early on, he said.
So far, many parents have felt helped by the existence of MBG, because it can reduce the burden of household expenses while ensuring that children continue to receive proper nutritional intake. Especially in the midst of socio-economic recovery efforts, this program has become an important support for many families.
By continuing the MBG program during the holidays, it is hoped that Indonesian children can remain healthy, active, and not lose the momentum of fulfilling nutrition which is very crucial for their growth and development.
