By: Safira Alfi)*
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) rolled out by the government is one of the strategic steps in improving the quality of Indonesian human resources from an early age. By providing healthy and nutritious food for school-age children, this program not only aims to reduce stunting and malnutrition rates, but also ensures that every child receives sufficient nutritional intake to support their physical growth and cognitive development. Nutritional needs that are met routinely will have a direct impact on increasing children’s concentration in learning, body immunity, and productivity at school and in their surroundings.
The implementation of this program is very relevant considering that various survey results show that the rate of malnutrition among children is still high, especially in remote and poor areas. In some cases, children come to school without breakfast or only consume snacks that are not nutritious. With the presence of the MBG Program, students get one complete meal prepared according to nutritional standards, including carbohydrates, animal and vegetable protein, vegetables, and fruits. This more balanced diet is expected to form a healthy, intelligent, and competitive young generation.
The Indonesian Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, said that Free Nutritious Meals were designed as an economic empowerment instrument, especially for MSMEs in the food sector. The government involves local food stalls, home catering, and women’s business groups in providing food for school children. This scheme provides business opportunities while expanding the market for MSMEs who were previously constrained by fixed market access. With a transparent data collection and supervision system, MSMEs are invited to contribute to providing quality food that meets health standards.
Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Indah Kurniawati, fully supports the implementation of the MBG program which is considered important not only for public health, but also for improving the quality of life as a whole. Collaboration between local governments, schools, and MSMEs is the key to the success of this program in the field. Schools are assigned as distribution and supervision points, while MSMEs receive training and assistance to maintain the quality and hygiene of the food served. The central government also provides funding through a special budget mechanism, including the involvement of health services and cooperative services in facilitating the production and distribution process. In many areas, this synergy has shown positive impacts in the form of increased student attendance, higher enthusiasm for learning, and local economic activity that is starting to be felt.
In addition, MBG is also a place for nutritional education for students and parents. With food served regularly and in a variety of ways, children begin to understand the importance of consuming vegetables and fruits, and reduce the habit of buying snacks carelessly. This program indirectly forms a culture of healthy eating in the school environment, which is then carried over to the home. This educational effort is further strengthened by socialization activities involving teachers, parents, and health workers so that understanding of the importance of nutrition becomes more widespread and down-to-earth.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana said with careful planning and periodic evaluation. Minor obstacles that had emerged such as logistics and variations in MSME capacity have been anticipated systematically through integrated planning and intensive assistance. The government also continues to open up space for community participation in the implementation of this program, both through supervision, suggestions for improvement, and local initiatives that enrich implementation in the field. Transparency and accountability are the main principles that must be maintained to ensure the sustainability of this program in the long term.
The MBG program also shows that a cross-sector approach is an effective development model. When health, education, and economic issues are addressed in an integrated manner, the results will be much more significant than if they were done separately. MBG is proof that fulfilling children’s basic rights is not just the responsibility of one agency, but a collaboration of all elements of the nation. In some areas, this program has even triggered local innovations such as the use of organic food from farms around schools, which also supports sustainable agriculture.
Overall, the MBG Program is not just a food procurement program, but a long-term social investment. This program carries a big mission to break the chain of structural poverty through improving nutritional quality and empowering the local economy. With a healthier young generation and more empowered MSMEs, Indonesia is on the path to more inclusive and equitable progress. Therefore, this program should be supported by all levels of society so that its benefits are increasingly widespread and its sustainability is maintained in the future.
The success of the Free Nutritious Meal Program also reflects the government’s strong commitment to realizing inclusive sustainable development. By reaching children from various social backgrounds and empowering local MSMEs, the government not only fulfills the basic rights of the community but also strengthens economic resilience from below. This progressive step shows that the state is present in the lives of the people, making welfare a top priority that is directly felt by the community.
)* The author is a student at Muhammadiyah University (Unimus) Bandung
