The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in Kupang City, East Nusa\nTenggara (NTT), is projected to circulate up to IDR 440 billion. NTT\nGovernor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena stressed that this substantial\nfunding must have a dual impact, namely reducing stunting while\nsimultaneously driving an economy based on local products.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong the various national programmes, MBG is a programme that\ntouches many parties at once. Every day there is economic turnover, it\nopens up employment opportunities, involves many workers, and provides\ndirect benefits to children,\u201d said Melki, as Melkiades is known, during\nthe opening of the MBG Programme Task Force Coordination Meeting for\nKupang City at the Kupang Mayor\u2019s Official Residence Hall on Friday\n(26\/6\/2026).<\/p>\n
With approximately 107,000 beneficiaries in Kupang City and a\npotential turnover of IDR 440 billion, he raised two points for critical\nevaluation. Firstly, whether this economic turnover genuinely reaches\ncommunities suffering from malnutrition so that the reduction in\nstunting rates can be significant. Secondly, to what extent this\neconomic value contributes to inclusive growth for farmers, livestock\nbreeders, and communities within the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit\n(SPPG) supply chain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese questions need to be mapped out so that the benefits of the\nMBG Programme are truly maximised, both in improving the nutritional\nstatus of the community and in providing a broad economic impact,\u201d\nasserted the Golkar Party politician. Melki requested that the\ngovernance of the MBG be strengthened so that all SPPG kitchens operate\noptimally. The target recipients must be accurately mapped, especially\ngroups at risk of stunting. He also urged the optimisation of local NTT\nproducts within the supply chain.<\/p>\n
\u201cKupang City must become a good example as well as a promoter for\nother districts in the implementation of the MBG programme Coordination\nMeeting,\u201d he said. He expressed hope that the MBG would become a shared\nidentity through the MBG NTT Incorporated concept, involving all\nstakeholders in NTT Province.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Kupang Mayor Christian Widodo expressed appreciation to\nPresident Prabowo for the MBG, which he described as a long-term\ninvestment. \u201cWe are not just talking about food, but we are investing in\nthe future of Indonesia\u2019s children,\u201d he said. \u201cCurrently, Kupang City\nhas 42 SPPG kitchens with an economic turnover of around IDR 9 billion\nper week,\u201d Christian stated.<\/p>\n
The Kupang City Government, he added, has also formed an MBG Task\nForce that will monitor kitchen operations monthly, including\nsanitation, food safety, and waste management. \u201cThe coordination meeting\naims to bring together food suppliers, SPPG managers, and all related\nparties so that the implementation of the MBG programme runs better,\u201d he\nexplained. Christian hopes that beneficiaries will be more evenly\ndistributed across Posyandu and early childhood education centres to\naccelerate stunting reduction. \u201cI am confident that in every portion of\nFree Nutritious Meals, not only is food served, but also the dreams and\nfuture of the nation\u2019s children,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/free-nutritious-meal-programme-in-ntt-projected-to-circulate-idr-440-billion-1782489085", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }