JAKARTA The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) initiated by the government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto has shown encouraging achievements. Since its launch in early 2025, the program has reached 5,582,470 beneficiaries by the end of June. The figure was conveyed by the Spokesperson for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Redy Hendra Gunawan, in the presentation of the achievements of the first six months.
As of Sunday, June 29, MBG beneficiaries reached 5,582,470 people, and over the past seven days there has been an increase of 373,531 new recipients, said Redy.
MBG beneficiaries are spread across various age groups and educational institutions. Based on the category, this program reaches 321,702 students at PAUD, TK, and RA levels; 2,400,183 students at SD and MI levels; 1,534,442 students at SMP and MTs; and 1,169,979 students at SMA and SMK. In addition, there are 27,760 students at Islamic boarding schools, 10,319 students at PKBM and SLB, and 802 seminary students who have also felt the benefits of this program.
The program also targets vulnerable groups such as 15,780 pregnant women, 26,504 breastfeeding mothers, and 74,999 toddlers. To support the distribution of nutritious food, 1,861 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchens have been operating, all of which were built through collaboration with non-APBN partners.
To date, there have been 22,000 partners who have registered through the BGN platform, and are in the process of verifying their eligibility to be directly involved in the program, Redy explained.
Expert Staff for Regional Development of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Haryo Limanseto, emphasized that the success of the MBG Program is highly dependent on synergy between sectors. Haryo emphasized the importance of cooperation between the central government, regions, and private partners in accelerating the fulfillment of nutrition and food access.
This synergy shows the spirit of mutual cooperation which is the main strength of the nation in facing development challenges, including the issue of national food and nutrition security, he said.
He added that the government’s priority programs, including MBG, are not only directed at accelerating economic growth, but also ensuring social justice with equal distribution of development results. One form of community participation in strengthening this policy is the Free Happy Meal Program initiated by the private organization Matahari Pagi Indonesia.
The long-standing nutritional problems are still being gradually addressed through programs such as MBG, said Haryo.
The program has reached hundreds of students, including at SDN Petojo Selatan 06 Central Jakarta and Yayasan Al-Bi tsah Himmaturrisalah in West Bandung Regency. Chairman of the Indonesian Morning Sun Advisory Council, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, stated that collaboration between the community and entrepreneurs is an important factor in strengthening government programs.
We think about what we should give to the country. We cannot leave this country to the government alone, the private sector must also join hands to help the government, this country needs us to build this country, said Dahnil.
Meanwhile, Member of the Advisory Board of Matahari Pagi Indonesia, Jusuf Hamka stated that this initiative also aims to empower local MSMEs as food providers.
The involvement of MSMEs is considered in line with the government’s spirit in encouraging regional economic growth and distributing direct benefits to the community, he explained.
With the achievement of 5.5 million beneficiaries in the first six months, the MBG Program is considered not only successful in terms of numbers, but also proves that a cross-sector collaborative approach is able to accelerate the distribution of nutrition throughout Indonesia. (*/rls)
