By: Andika Pratama )*
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) initiated by the government of President Prabowo Subianto has received widespread appreciation from various groups. This program is considered a real step in fulfilling the basic rights of the community and preparing the future of the next generation of Indonesia. MBG does not just provide food assistance, but is also a long-term strategy in creating a healthier, smarter, and more productive generation.
Trias Politika Executive Director, Agung Baskoro, assessed that MBG is an authentic policy that shows the government’s commitment to the common people. According to him, this program is different from the previous government’s policies which focused more on infrastructure development. Agung emphasized the importance of consistency in implementing MBG so that its benefits can be felt optimally by the community.
The importance of this program is not only seen from its benefits for the community, but also from the consistency of its implementation. The government is expected to continue to maintain the continuity of this program so that its benefits can be felt widely and sustainably. With this policy, the government shows that improving the quality of human resources is a top priority in national development.
The socialization of the MBG program has also been carried out in various regions, one of which is in Depok. Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lucy Kurniasari, appreciated the positive response from the community to this program. MBG aims to improve community nutrition, especially children and mothers, and reduce stunting and malnutrition rates in Indonesia. Lucy also highlighted that this program targets students from PAUD to high school, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. By providing nutritious food according to standards, it is hoped that the health and welfare of the target group can improve.
In terms of budget, the government has shown its commitment by increasing the allocation of funds for MBG. Initially, the budget prepared was IDR 71 trillion to reach 17.5 million beneficiaries until September 2025. However, the Minister of Finance announced an additional budget of IDR 100 trillion, bringing the total to IDR 171 trillion. With this addition, the MBG program is expected to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries by the end of 2025.
The implementation of MBG also involves the establishment of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens spread across various provinces. As of January 22, 2025, 245 SPPGs have been formed in 38 provinces. Each kitchen is managed by a team consisting of the head of SPPG, nutritionists, accountants, and dozens of local workers. In addition to ensuring adequate nutrition in each portion of food, SPPG is also tasked with strictly supervising hygiene standards and waste management.
During her visit to Purwakarta, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Community Aspiration Agency, Cellica Nurrachadiana, appreciated the implementation of MBG which involved empowering local communities. She noted that each MBG kitchen is managed by local residents who have received training and certification. In addition, the sources of raw materials used come from local producers, in accordance with the President’s hopes to drive the regional economy. Cellica also highlighted that the existence of MBG kitchens creates new job opportunities for the surrounding community, which contributes to improving their welfare.
The MBG program is in line with the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045 which targets the creation of a golden generation that is able to make Indonesia a developed country. By ensuring the fulfillment of good nutrition from an early age, it is hoped that a healthy, productive, and competitive young generation will be born on the global stage. In addition, this program also supports local economic growth through the empowerment of local MSMEs, farmers, and livestock breeders.
This program also has a positive impact on the education sector. Children who receive adequate nutrition will have better concentration in school, thus improving the quality of their learning and academic results. Thus, MBG not only contributes to the health aspect, but also in building a generation that is ready to face future challenges.
The enthusiasm of the community towards the MBG Program reflects the great hope for the sustainability of this program. Therefore, it is important for the government to continue to innovate and adjust policies so that they remain relevant to the needs of the community. Support from various parties, including the private sector and social organizations, can also strengthen the implementation of this program so that it is more widespread and evenly distributed throughout Indonesia.
The community hopes that the MBG Program will continue to be developed on a larger scale. The success that has been achieved so far is the basis for expanding the scope of the program to other vulnerable groups, such as children in remote areas and underprivileged communities. With the right strategy and strong commitment, the MBG Program can become one of the main pillars in realizing a prosperous Indonesiag healthier, smarter, and more prosperous.
Overall, the MBG Program is a strategic initiative that not only focuses on improving the quality of community nutrition, but also empowering the local economy and preparing Indonesia’s golden generation. Support and collaboration between the government, community, and private sector are the keys to the success of this program. With a shared commitment, it is hoped that MBG can run consistently and provide real benefits for all levels of Indonesian society.
The government must ensure that this program continues to run effectively and transparently, and is open to input from various parties. If managed well, MBG can be a successful social policy model and an inspiration for other countries in building the welfare of their people.
)* The author is a JabbarTrigger Contributor
