Indonesia and JICA pilot Japanese food education approach for school meals

The Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are collaborating on the MBG-JICA Pilot to enhance Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program. The initiative aims to integrate the Japanese concept of ‘shokuiku’, which treats school meals as a medium for food and nutrition education rather than just a means of consumption.

According to BGN Deputy for Systems and Governance Prima Yosephine Berliana Tumiur Hutapea, the pilot program will explore how students can learn about food sources, nutrition, and the supply chain through direct experience. The project consists of two main components: a ‘shokkan’ trial at the Nutrition Provision Service Unit level to study food service provision, and ‘shokuiku’ activities at the school level to strengthen student understanding.

Key areas of focus for the pilot include reducing food waste and leftovers, improving the efficiency of food delivery and serving processes, and increasing student participation in meal-related activities.