{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1684829,
        "msgid": "free-meals-programme-aims-to-change-peoples-mindsets-on-nutrition-bgn-1776444655",
        "date": "2026-04-17 22:49:48",
        "title": "Free meals programme aims to change people's mindsets on nutrition: BGN",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Indonesian government's free meals programme (MBG) is shifting public perceptions on nutrition, with people from Aceh to Papua increasingly recognising the importance of balanced diets for children, according to BGN Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya. In response to President Prabowo Subianto's directive to prioritise malnourished children, the programme first targets vulnerable groups like pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers through partners and Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units. Launched in early 2025 to benefit 82.9 million people, the initiative is accelerating progress, boosting the local economy, and set to expand to older adults and persons with disabilities this year.",
        "content": "<p>\u201cWe must instill the belief that every Indonesian child has the right\nto nutritious food. However, since the implementation involves partners,\nwe cannot immediately prioritize only specific groups,\u201d BGN Deputy Head\nSony Sonjaya said when contacted here on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>He made the statement in response to President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s\ndirective for the MBG program to focus on malnourished children.<\/p>\n<p>Sonjaya stressed that the BGN has reminded all partners and\nNutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) that before reaching\nstudents, the nutritional intervention should first target vulnerable\ngroups, specifically pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and\ntoddlers.<\/p>\n<p>He further noted that a shift in public perception regarding\nnutrition is already becoming visible.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, from Aceh to Papua, and from rural villages to\nmetropolitan areas, people are beginning to understand that children\nmust be provided with a balanced, nutritious diet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt must contain carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and vitamins. What\nwas once a priority for only a small segment of the population has now\nbecome a concern for nearly all Indonesians, who are paying much closer\nattention to what their children eat,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n<p>After a year of implementation, he noted that the public has become\nactively engaged in the program, adding that its progress is\naccelerating.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMore and more children are reaping the benefits, and most\nimportantly, it is driving the growth of the local economy,\u201d he\nasserted.<\/p>\n<p>Targeting 82.9 million beneficiaries nationwide, the MBG program was\nlaunched in early 2025 to improve the nutritional status of children\nunder five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up\nto the high school level.<\/p>\n<p>The government is moving to expand the program to cover older adults\nand persons with disabilities this year.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Minister urges SPPGs to source local food to support\nvillage economy<\/p>\n<p>Related news: BGN covers treatment, suspends MBG kitchen after food\npoisoning<\/p>\n<p>Related news: BGN warns 2,100 MBG kitchens to improve services<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Lintang Budiyanti, Raka Adji<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/free-meals-programme-aims-to-change-peoples-mindsets-on-nutrition-bgn-1776444655",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}