Indonesia has expanded its Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) to cover children aged 6 to 59 months starting in 2026, aiming to strengthen early childhood nutrition and support long-term health outcomes, officials said on Friday.
The policy follows technical guidelines under Presidential Regulation No. 115 of 2025 on the governance of the MBG program, issued by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
"The age limit for toddlers has been expanded, and children aged 6 to 59 months are now eligible,” said Ermia Sofiyessi, secretary deputy for systems and governance at BGN, calling the move critical for children’s physical and cognitive development.
She said the program prioritizes pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers, known as the 3B group, focusing on nutrition delivery during the first 1,000 days of life, a crucial period for building healthy, resilient, and productive generations to support the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
Guidelines on food distribution and nutrition education for the 3B group have been in effect since May 2025 and are now implemented nationwide by all Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), or kitchens, she said.
As of Thursday, beneficiaries included 1.8 million early childhood education students, 4.6 million non-school toddlers, 727,000 pregnant women, and 1.5 million breastfeeding mothers.
BGN will continue expanding coverage in line with the growing number of SPPG units, while strengthening coordination with community health centers, clinics, and local authorities to improve data collection and distribution.
Each day, beneficiaries receive meals that meet balanced nutrition standards, delivered through scheduled distributions, community health posts, home visits, and tailored schemes for remote areas.
Ermia said community health volunteers also play a key role in providing nutrition education, ensuring mothers and toddlers receive both adequate food and essential guidance for healthy diets.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari, Martha Herlinawati S
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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