Speaking about the program’s progress, Prabowo said Indonesia is currently producing 59.8 million meals a day and is on track to surpass McDonald’s estimated 68 million daily meals within the next month.
“In about a month's time, we will surpass McDonald's 68 million meals a day. We started in January of last year. This year, we aim to serve 82.9 million meals a day,” he said on Thursday, as monitored in Jakarta.
Prabowo noted that MBG was started on January 6, 2025, following budget efficiency measures that Prabowo said saved around US18 billion by cutting what he described as inefficient or dubious spending. The funds were redirected to projects aimed at improving public welfare.
The program began with 190 kitchens serving about 570,000 meals a day. Within a year, it has expanded to 21,102 kitchens nationwide, supplying meals to children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and elderly citizens living alone. Meals for mothers and elderly recipients are delivered directly to their homes.
Prabowo said the government aims to serve 82.9 million meals a day this year, potentially reaching that target before the end of 2026.
“My people said, ‘No sir, we will reach 82.9 before December’. So hopefully we will achieve this,” he added.
He contrasted the pace of the MBG with McDonald’s growth, noting the U.S. fast-food chain began their operations in 1940 and took 55 decades to reach its current daily output.
Beyond nutrition, Prabowo said the programme is driving economic growth by integrating more than 61,000 micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as larger companies, into its supply chain.
The initiative has created more than 600,000 jobs in meal kitchens alone, with the government expecting up to 1.5 million direct jobs at peak capacity. Including vendors and suppliers, more than one million additional livelihoods are expected to benefit, he said.
“This is why I’m convinced that our growth will reach impressive numbers,” Prabowo said.
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Reporter: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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