Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program Adapts Model for Remote Areas

The Indonesian government is revising its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program to better serve the country's far‑flung, low‑density regions known as 3T (frontier, remote, and underserved). A new "Model MBG 3T" will allow flexible distribution methods, such as using schools as service points, to overcome long distances, poor road conditions, and limited transport.

Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said the involvement of school canteens in MBG distribution is still under study. "Jadi, belum ada keputusan soal kantin dan berbagai pelayanan lainnya," he told reporters in Yogyakarta, adding that the program will target only students who truly need the assistance: "Yang sudah diputuskan ... tidak untuk semuanya, tetapi hanya untuk yang memerlukan." The ministry aims to ensure the aid reaches the most vulnerable while maintaining food safety and nutritional standards.