On the occasion, he also extended a message from President Prabowo Subianto to the elementary school pupils.
"I have a message from Mr. President. He hopes that you will grow healthily with adequate nutrition and excel in learning," he remarked while handing out meals to first graders on Monday.
In South Tangerang, the Free Nutritious Meal program has been running at seven locations since the initiative's nationwide launch on January 6.
Meals provided to Lengkong Gudang School pupils have been transported by trucks from a special kitchen known as the nutritional fulfillment service unit (SPPG).
Today's menu features rice, beef bulgogi, tofu soup, stir-fried corn and carrots, and oranges.
Related news: Free meals highly beneficial to underprivilged students: expert
Having interacted directly with the pupils, Pasaribu highlighted that they positively received the national program.
"The students seem very delighted with this program," the deputy minister remarked.
The administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka officially launched the Free Nutritious Meals program as its flagship initiative through 190 SPPGs operated by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) across 26 provinces last week.
Through the program, the government aims to improve the nutritional intake of toddlers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the senior high school level.
This year, the government is seeking to provide free nutritious meals to at least 15 million beneficiaries. By the end of Prabowo's tenure in 2029, the program is expected to cover around 83 million recipients.
Related news: Govt mulls additional Rp140 trln budget for free meals
Translator: Livia K, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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