October 21, 2025 | 12:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reported that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program has reached 36,773,520 beneficiaries across Indonesia until October 20th, 2025. This program, a priority of President Prabowo Subianto's administration, is said to have involved more than 12,500 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or community kitchens.
The Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, claimed that the achievement demonstrates successful cross-sector work between the central and regional governments. "The achievement of more than 12,500 active SPPGs shows the government's commitment to ensure the effective and even implementation of the MBG Program," Dadan said in Jakarta on Monday, October 20th, 2025.
According to Dadan, the expansion of SPPGs continues, especially in the 3T (most left behind, forefront, and remote) areas. He emphasized that the basic principle of this program is the equal distribution of nutrition access. "We ensure that all regions have equal access to nutrition services. The principle is, no one should be left behind," he said.
The MBG Program began on January 6th, 2025. In addition to aiming to improve the nutritional quality of the community, especially children and vulnerable groups, the government also claims that this program has created many new job opportunities. BGN mentioned that thousands of workers are absorbed in SPPG kitchens-from cooks, distribution personnel, administrative staff, to cleaning personnel.
Not only does it create jobs, Dadan said that the MBG program also revitalizes the local economy through the food supply chain. "We see the growth of local businesses that were previously not involved in the food sector, now participating, both as suppliers and providers of support services," he said.
BGN also noted the emergence of supporting industries, such as utensil manufacturers, food containers, and kitchen equipment, which are said to play a role in maintaining the sustainability of the MBG ecosystem.
However, amidst these claimed achievements, the monitoring of the program's implementation remains a point of scrutiny. Several reports from regions mention differences in food quality and delays in distribution, especially in remote areas. Not to mention the issue of mass poisoning that occurred in various regions.
Some nutrition experts also believe that the government needs to be more transparent in publishing data and ensuring that the procurement of food items is done accountably.
In response to this, the Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of BGN, Khairul Hidayati, stated that the institution continues to strengthen regulatory aspects and monitoring. "BGN ensures that the entire program implementation is guided by clear, transparent, and accountable regulations," he said.
Khairul added that BGN also opens a public complaint channel and regularly disseminates information so that the public can participate in monitoring the implementation of MBG. "Public collaboration is the key to the success of this program," he said.
Editor's Choice: Prabowo: Free Nutritious Meal Food Poisoning Rate Still Within Humanitarian Corridor
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