JAKARTA (January 6, 2025) - Vice Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono reviewed the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG). The distribution of MBG began to be implemented for the first time simultaneously nationwide on Monday (6/1/2025). On that occasion, Agus Jabo said that this moment was a historic day for Indonesia.
"Today is a very historic and extraordinary day because today, the Free Nutritious Meal Program has officially started," said Agus Jabo in front of students of SMP 1 Barunawati, Jakarta, Monday (6/1/2025).
He said that the MBG Program was not only provided to meet daily food needs but was also designed in such a way for the progress of Indonesia.
"The President hopes that this MBG will not only provide nutritious food for children and pregnant/breastfeeding mothers but also an investment for our young generation to become a great and superior generation to welcome the Vision of Golden Indonesia 2045," said Agus Jabo.
He said that through nutritious food, the young generation of Indonesia will have intelligent minds and strong physiques as expected by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Until later the young generation will become important actors in welcoming a bright future as part of Golden Indonesia 2045.
"You must be a tough and superior generation," said Agus Jabo.
He explained that the MBG Program was implemented in stages in 25 provinces and operated by 190 nutrition service fulfillment units (SPPG) or kitchen level. Each SPPG is led by a representative from the National Nutrition Agency.
"Hopefully by the end of January, the target of three million beneficiaries can be met. Meanwhile, the target by the end of 2025 is fifteen million beneficiaries and in 2029 the target is 82.9 million beneficiaries of this MBG program," said Agus Jabo.
He also encouraged collaboration from all parties in implementing the MBG program.
"We ask all parties, both government, private sector and community to be actively involved in synergy, working together to make this MBG program a success," said Agus Jabo.
At that moment, Agus Jabo was accompanied by the Acting Governor of Jakarta, Teguh Setyabudi, and the Spokesperson for the Presidential Communications Office, Dedek Prayudi.
"We, from the Jakarta Provincial Government, fully support this program. If possible, we can also support in terms of monitoring food quality and safety. We will continue to provide full support," said Teguh.
Teguh said that as of today, Monday (6/1/2025), four SPPGs have been operating, serving 41 schools in Jakarta, and can produce 12,054 portions of food. Later, there will be an additional thirteen SPPGs so by the end of January there will be seventeen SPPGs.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the Presidential Communications Office, Dedek Prayudi, explained the technical implementation of the MBG program. He said that in practice, the budgeting for the MBG program was not prepared per portion of food and, certainly, the budget for the MBG Program has never decreased, it has remained the same since it was first launched, which is IDR 71 trillion.
"The speculation circulating in the community is that the price is estimated per portion and the increase and decrease are due to certain ways to increase efficiency," said Dedek.
Dedek continued, in its implementation, the MBG Program has three standards, namely nutritional adequacy standards, hygiene standards related to food safety, and sustainable waste management standards.
"There is no menu standard, there is only a nutritional standard, namely the fulfillment of daily nutritional needs in the form of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. The menu can be adjusted to conditions in the field, such as in Papua, the carbohydrate requirement comes from sago and earlier there was also a child who was phobic about rice, we changed it to potatoes," said Dedek.
The existence of the MBG Program has a positive impact on students, especially in meeting daily nutritional needs.
"Children who previously did not like vegetables and did not drink milk, with the MBG, the children are accustomed to eating healthy food. Thank you, Mr. President and Vice President," said the Principal of SMP 1 Barunawati, Hadijah.
One of the students who received free nutritious food, Lionel Yoseph, expressed his gratitude for the MBG Program. He said that the food menu provided was liked by him and his friends because it was delicious and complete. Yoseph also said that before the MBG program, he used to buy lunch for Rp20 thousand every day. With the MBG program, he was able to set aside money for other needs.
"With this free nutritious meal program, we can save and have saving money for other needs," said Yoseph.