The directive follows an order from President Prabowo Subianto to all ministries, including the coordinating ministry, to ensure the program expands rapidly and reaches its target by Independence Day on August 17 this year.
In a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, reported that as of the end of July 2025, the MBG program has reached 7,374,135 beneficiaries.
They include schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as students of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and religious institutions.
To support the program, the government has built 2,375 healthy kitchens, or nutrition fulfillment service units, across the country. Each kitchen is capable of producing nutritious meals for up to three thousand children daily.
The meals served under the program are designed to meet specific nutritional standards set by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“This is a concrete example of the state’s presence in ensuring that no Indonesian child is left behind due to hunger or malnutrition,” Gunawan said.
He further emphasized that the MBG program is not only expected to support nutritional recovery but also contribute to job and income generation for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He expressed optimism that through collaboration among all institutions and public support, the 20-million-recipient target will be achieved by the time Indonesia celebrates its 80th year of independence.
The MBG program was launched on January 6, 2025, as one of the main initiatives of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.
Through the program, the government is aiming to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.
Related news: Govt to support MBG with superior livestock breeding and milk plan
Related news: Ministry emphasizes MSMEs' role in free meals program
Related news: MBG covering 2.6% of targeted women, toddlers: minister
Translator: Walda Marison, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
