Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has urged kitchens participating in the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to provide nutrition education to beneficiaries.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, BGN Deputy Head Nanik Sudaryati said MBG kitchens, officially known as Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPG), are tasked with delivering nutrition education in schools and coordinating with teachers.

"They spend one hour teaching in a classroom, then move to another class, explaining the importance of eating nutritious food," Sudaryati said.

She said MBG kitchens can also work with health professionals at community health centers to provide nutrition counseling for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

The kitchens may also cooperate with village heads to establish discussion forums aimed at improving nutrition awareness and explaining the implementation of the MBG program.

Sudaryati expressed appreciation for kitchen heads, accountants, nutritionists, partners, and volunteers who have introduced creative approaches to nutrition education for children.

To encourage children to eat vegetables, she said, MBG meal distributors have worn costumes of popular comic characters, offered healthy snacks, or provided small incentives.

"We dressed the drivers in Power Rangers costumes to boost children's enthusiasm. We tell them we will bring the characters again if they eat vegetables," she said.

She added that MBG kitchen staff need to strengthen their public speaking skills, starting with small forums such as schools, community groups, and village offices, to help explain the importance of the program to the wider public.

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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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