Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 Indonesia\u2019s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has\ntrialled buffet-style service for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG)\nprogramme at 66 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPGs) across 10\nprovinces. The pilot aims to improve food presentation and assess\noperational effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a press conference after an MBG coordination meeting in\nJakarta on Monday, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said\nthe buffet trial followed a directive from the President and drew on\nsimilar practices in other countries.<\/p>\n
He said the trial was intended to address food-distribution\nchallenges, including long delivery times and meals arriving at lower\ntemperatures, which could affect food quality and safety.<\/p>\n
Buffet service is also expected to reduce food waste, as pupils can\ntake extra portions according to their needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome are still hungry and can have more, so there will be no food\nleft over,\u201d Zulkifli said.<\/p>\n
BGN head Sudaryono said the results of the one-week trial showed\nhigher food consumption, while meals were fresher and warmer.<\/p>\n
\u201cPupils are also more enthusiastic because, beyond the portions they\nreceive, they can have more if there is food left,\u201d Sudaryono said.<\/p>\n
He said the system allows pupils who are still hungry to take\nadditional food, making servings more responsive to beneficiaries\u2019\nneeds.<\/p>\n
However, Sudaryono said the government was still assessing the costs\nand staffing requirements of introducing the model. The evaluation is\nexamining potential savings as well as any additional operating costs\ncompared with the current serving system.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are recalculating and reviewing the operational side to see how\nmuch costs might fall \u2014 or, potentially, how much they might increase,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He added that the trial was also being used to identify practical\nchallenges, including staffing requirements and schools\u2019 readiness to\nadopt buffet service.<\/p>\n
According to Sudaryono, schools will need guidance to ensure the\nservice runs in an orderly manner. Support must also be tailored to\npupils\u2019 ages, since younger primary-school children have different needs\nand abilities from those in higher year groups.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/free-nutritious-meals-buffet-trial-conducted-at-66-sppgs-in-10-provinces-1792417874", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }