Spokesperson of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Dedek Prayudi said here on Monday that the distribution of free meals to students will be suspended during the school break period, namely from February 27 to March 5, 2025, and will be resumed on March 6.
"This program will also be suspended during the Eid al-Fitr period, namely from March 26 to April 8, and will be continued on April 9, 2025," Prayudi added.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has adjusted the free meals menu so that it can meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of students practicing fasting during Ramadan.
The nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) will provide a special Ramadan menu, which will include items such as milk, boiled eggs, biscuits, fruits, and dates.
The food will be packed in bags that can be taken home as part of a zero waste concept. The students will need to bring the bags back so they can be reused.
For students who are not fasting, the free meals will be distributed as usual, but they will be consumed in a separate room as a mark of respect for those who are fasting during the holy month.
The Indonesian government officially launched the MBG program on January 6 as one of the main programs of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.
As of February 24, the MBG program has reached 2 million students from the early childhood education level to the vocational high school level. Currently, 726 SPPGs are providing food for the program in 38 provinces.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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