By: Yasir Gema Wirawan*
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program launched by the government is not only a strategic policy to combat stunting and improve the nutritional intake of the younger generation, but has also become a driving force for the people’s economy in various regions.
Through an integrated approach, this program provides broad participation for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the nutritious food supply chain distributed to millions of beneficiaries throughout Indonesia.
The Minister of MSMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, emphasized that the government continues to make continuous improvements to maximize the benefits of MBG. MBG has two major goals: improving the nutrition of Indonesian children while providing direct economic benefits to local MSMEs across the country.
By October 2025, thousands of MBG public kitchens had been established, with each kitchen involving an average of at least 15 local suppliers, ranging from farmers and livestock breeders to processed food providers. This creates a ripple effect that accelerates the local economy.
The Deputy for Small Business at the Ministry of MSMEs, Temmy Satya Permana, added an important dimension to MSME involvement, particularly through the downstreaming of superior commodities such as honey, which can be used as a highly nutritious food source and potentially become part of the MBG menu.
The energy, vitamin, and bioactive compounds in honey are considered excellent for supporting children’s immune systems and the quality of their learning. However, the Ministry of MSMEs also noted a gap between domestic honey demand and production. National demand is estimated at 7,500 tons per year, while domestic production is only around 2,000 tons.
This opportunity was then exploited through the Joint Production House (RPB) or Factory Sharing program, which allows MSMEs to access collective production facilities, technology training, and quality certification assistance. This represents a concrete step by the government to encourage increased capacity and competitiveness of MSME products so they can sustainably enter the MBG supply chain.
Imam Bachtiar, an expert from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), assessed the involvement of MSMEs in the MBG program as highly strategic. The approach of developing menus based on local potential in each region is efficient and effective. In addition to streamlining distribution channels, this strategy also empowers the local economy. Local foods such as honey, sago, or other regional products can be integrated into MBG menus, provided they meet nutritional and food safety standards.
Synergy between the central government, regional governments, and implementing partners is key to the future success of the MBG program. The space provided to regional governments for menu adaptation also demonstrates the government’s prioritization of flexibility and relevance in implementing this national program.
On the ground, the MBG program’s tangible impact on the local economy is evident from data from the NTB Province MBG Task Force. The Head of the Task Force, Ahsanul Khalik, explained that by September 2025, 311 active Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) had been established, serving nearly one million beneficiaries across all regencies/cities in NTB. Throughout the process, this program has successfully absorbed more than 13,000 local workers, ranging from cooks, drivers, food preparation staff, to cleaning and security personnel.
Furthermore, 548 local MSMEs and 29 cooperatives have become active partners of MBG in NTB. MBG is not just a health intervention, but also a direct economic stimulus for smallholder businesses. By involving local communities as part of the production and distribution process, MBG helps strengthen purchasing power and expand the productive economic base in the region.
The Head of the NTB Central Statistics Agency, Wahyudin, stated that his office is currently conducting an in-depth survey to measure the impact of the MBG program on poverty reduction and increased employment. Each SPPG employs an average of 47 workers and has a daily turnover of IDR 15,000 per beneficiary, consisting of IDR 10,000 for food, IDR 3,000 for labor wages, and IDR 2,000 for kitchen operations. With such a large number of beneficiaries, this program is a crucial factor in stimulating household consumption and strengthening the local economic structure.
In its process, MBG faced various challenges, such as food distribution. However, the government’s approach remained open to criticism and improvement. One interesting proposal from the community was the empowerment of school canteens as implementing partners for MBG, to strengthen oversight and streamline distribution channels.
From these various data and perspectives, it is increasingly clear that MBG has created a new ecosystem for economic growth.Community-based local businesses. MSMEs are no longer isolated but are part of an inclusive, structured, and measurable national system. The government is not only creating markets for smallholder products but also building the competitiveness and production capacity of MSMEs so they can grow alongside strategic national programs.
The MBG program is clear evidence that holistically designed social policies can generate broad economic impacts. The involvement of MSMEs in the MBG supply chain emphasizes that economic development does not have to start with large industries but can grow from small businesses, traditional markets, and village cooperatives. This is where the wheels of the people’s economy move, and from there, the ideals of a Golden Indonesia 2045 can be firmly supported.
)*The author is an MSME Economic Observer
