On January 6, Indonesia launched the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program, an initiative spearheaded by President-elect Prabowo Subianto. The program aims to ensure that the younger generation receives adequate nutrition according to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), with an initial implementation target of reaching approximately 600,000 people in 26 provinces.
The program is implemented through 190 nutrition service units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens, which serve as distribution centers for nutritious meals. From Aceh to South Papua, these kitchens are responsible for cooking and distributing food.
By the end of January 2025, the MBG program aims to operate 937 MBG kitchens, with plans to increase this number to 5,000 kitchens across Indonesia by the end of the year. In its initial phase, from January to March 2025, the program aims to reach 3 million beneficiaries. This number is expected to gradually increase to 15 million beneficiaries by the end of the year.
With this capacity, the program is expected to serve up to 20 million beneficiaries, including various groups such as young children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and students from early childhood education to high school.
Ensuring Nutrition for All
As part of the Fast-Track Best Results Program (PHTC) initiated by the Prabowo-Gibran duo, MBG marks the first step in realizing the government's commitment to improving public welfare. The program is supported by an allocated budget of Rp71 trillion (US$4.4 billion).
According to Presidential Communications Office Spokesperson Dedek Prayudi, the MBG program does not impose a specific menu standard for the meals provided to schoolchildren and pregnant women across various regions. The primary focus is on nutritional adequacy, ensuring that each meal contains essential components such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, fiber, and minerals.
Stumbling Start: From Promise to Reality
The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) was initially promoted as "Free Lunch" by Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka during the 2024 presidential campaign. With an estimated budget of Rp450 trillion (US$27 billion) per year for 83 million beneficiaries, the program aimed to improve IQ, learning interest, and food access for Indonesian children.
However, the term was later changed to "Free Nutritious Meals" with a broader objective, including addressing stunting, where Indonesia ranks 115th out of 151 countries according to World Bank data in 2020.
Unfortunately, the implementation of the program faced budgetary challenges. From the initial target, the government could only allocate Rp71 trillion (US$4.4 billion) through the 2025 national budget, reducing the cost per serving from Rp15,000 (US$0.92) to Rp10,000 (US$0.61).
To cover the shortfall, Prabowo forged a partnership with the Chinese government through a memorandum of understanding worth US$10 billion, though concerns about involving loan schemes have arisen.
Additionally, the MBG program's menu had to be adjusted. The original plan, which included rice, side dishes, vegetables, fruit, and milk, has been modified. Milk distribution is now focused in livestock centers, while other areas have replaced milk with eggs and moringa leaves. There were even discussions about replacing cow’s milk with fish milk.
