Indonesia’s Free Meal program cuts hungry students to 16 percent

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Fewer students are spending their school day hungry following the rollout of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, with the figure dropping to 16 percent, according to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

“The percentage of students attending school hungry has dropped from over 56 percent to around 16 percent following the implementation of the MBG program,” BGN spokesperson Tysa Novenny said when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Novenny also noted that the proportion of students who feel full while studying rose from 43 percent to 84 percent following the nutrition initiative’s implementation.

“Fruit consumption increased from 26 percent to 84 percent, while protein intake, which previously stood at between 30 and 40 percent, has now climbed to nearly 80 percent,” she explained.

She emphasized that the government hopes the MBG program will help reduce the child stunting rate to meet the national target of 18 percent in 2026 and further help Indonesia achieve a zero-percent stunting rate.

Novenny added that the agency is currently piloting a buffet-style MBG setup across 66 locations. To strengthen program governance, BGN has instructed all Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) supplying food to the program to link their kitchen CCTV feeds to the BGN for real-time monitoring.

“Kitchen CCTV cameras nationwide will connect to the central system to ensure standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance across all locations. We are also stepping up communication, both with the public and among agencies,” she said.

As part of the MBG program implementation, the government is continuing to expand its reach while tightening food safety standards. As of September 30, 2026, the program has reached 57 million beneficiaries, served by 27,486 SPPGs.

The BGN has also temporarily shut down 1,276 SPPGs that have yet to obtain a Hygiene and Sanitation Fitness Certificate (SLHS) to enforce stricter cleanliness and food safety standards.

As of September 30, 2026, MBG budget realization reached Rp153.2 trillion (around US$8.5 billion), or about 66.9 percent of the Rp229 trillion ceiling. For 2027, the government targets expanding the free meal program to 72.4 million beneficiaries, comprising students, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.