Indonesia expands Free Nutritious Meal program to remote regions

Indonesia is expanding its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) preparing to activate 2,700 nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions starting in September 2026. BGN Head Sudaryono stated that these kitchens are ready to operate and will target areas with limited service access, including boarding schools and regions outside of Java.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga/BKKBN) is prioritizing the distribution of nutritious meals to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B) in five provinces with high stunting rates: West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, and Banten. This initiative aims to prevent stunting during the first 1,000 days of life, targeting over 7 million beneficiaries across 141 regencies and cities.

While the program expands, challenges remain regarding the distribution mechanism. Wahyuniati, Deputy for Community Mobilization at BKKBN, noted that incentives for Family Assistance Teams (TPK) have not been optimally distributed, with some service units providing payments below the technical guidelines or experiencing delays.