The minister made the statement while monitoring the free meals program at Bina Insani Bosowa School in Bogor, West Java, on Monday.
"This is a historical day for Indonesia. The program to achieve Golden Indonesia through nutritional improvement and health improvement of Indonesian children has officially started," Sugiarto noted in a statement from his office here on Monday.
He remarked that the Bina Insani Bosowa School facilitated the participation of MSMEs in fulfilling the requirements of the free meals program.
Sugiarto underlined that the Free Nutritious Meals program can also foster children's character, particularly through the sense of solidarity developed by eating together.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the Ministry of Home Affairs will persist in ensuring that all regional governments coordinate with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to comprehend the technical system for implementing the program.
The ministry will also continue to advocate for the effective execution of the free meals program through efforts, such as by ensuring optimal collaboration at the regional level.
He noted that the food provided under the program must be tailored to the children's conditions.
On the same occasion, the spokesperson for the Presidential Communication Office, Philips J. Vermonte, underscored the importance of interventions to improve children's nutrition.
To this end, the government is making all-out efforts to achieve nutritional equity for children.
In addition to improving children's health, this program is expected to improve their learning achievement.
The Free Nutritious Meals program, which officially started on Monday, is one of the work programs of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.
A budget of Rp71 trillion (nearly US$4.4 billion) is allocated for the program.
Related news: Free meals program key part of children's character building: Ministry
Related news: KLH to oversee waste management for Free Nutritious Meals program
Related news: RI launches Free Nutritious Meals program targeting 20 M beneficiaries
Translator: Narda Margaretha, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
