"This free meals program is aimed at creating a generation of smart, strong, and productive talents that can lead Indonesia to transform into a developed country by 2045," Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan remarked in Surabaya City, East Java, on Thursday.
During a visit to an MBG kitchen in Wonocolo Sub-district, he underscored that the government acknowledges the importance of ensuring adequate nutritional intake for schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers to achieve that goal.
In this regard, the minister asserted that providing nutritious meals along with milk is necessary to raise citizens with stronger physical and intellectual capacity. He therefore described MBG as a long-term investment for the nation.
He then argued that it is crucial for Indonesia to follow the example of China and South Korea in promoting the consumption of animal protein among their citizens to boost the growth and development of children.
Bearing that in mind, Hasan assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring all MBG kitchens, including the one in Wonocolo, comply with standards for meal quality and nutrition set by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
The BGN oversees the full production chain, including raw material selection and procurement, washing, and serving, he added.
He highlighted that since its launch in January 2025, the MBG program has reached approximately 20 million beneficiaries out of the 82.9 million targeted this year.
"We have planned to earmark a budget worth around Rp300 trillion (US$18.3 billion) for the program's implementation next year. Hopefully, we will manage to cover all targeted beneficiaries once all the kitchens become operational," he concluded.
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Translator: Astrid F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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