{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1706515,
        "msgid": "indonesia-opens-campus-based-kitchen-to-expand-free-meals-programme-1777380718",
        "date": "2026-04-28 18:57:33",
        "title": "Indonesia opens campus-based kitchen to expand free meals programme",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Minister of Education Yuliarto has inaugurated a nutrition fulfilment service unit (SPPG) at Hasanuddin University to support President Prabowo Subianto's free meals programme (MBG), marking the first such initiative by a state university recognised as a legal entity. This campus-based kitchen will serve as a hub for student research, practical learning, and innovation to enhance community nutrition, leveraging the university's resources to advance national goals in public health and human development. The MBG programme, launched in January 2025, currently benefits 62 million individuals and aims to expand to 83 million this year, including elderly and disabled persons, while boosting local economies through ingredient sourcing and job creation.",
        "content": "<p>Minister Yuliarto noted that Hasanuddin University (Unhas)\nestablished the kitchen, formally known as a nutrition fulfillment\nservice unit (SPPG), to contribute tangibly to the national program\nwhile strengthening its role as an independent institution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe point is how higher education institutions can play a role in\nsupporting Mr.\u00a0President\u2019s initiatives, including the MBG program,\u201d he\nremarked during the launch ceremony on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>He urged Indonesian universities to avoid being passive and to start\nconcrete efforts to help boost the nutritional intake of\ncommunities.<\/p>\n<p>In this regard, Yuliarto explained that Unhas aims to develop the MBG\nkitchen into a hub for student research and practical learning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis SPPG will become a site for practice, research, and further\ndevelopment initiatives for the MBG program,\u201d the minister remarked.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, BGN Head Dadan Hindayana underscored Unhas as the first\nstate university recognized as a legal entity to set up an SPPG.<\/p>\n<p>On that note, he lauded the university for its staunch commitment to\nproactively responding to government programs and policies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe willingness of campuses to get involved in the MBG program is\nessential because they have technology, human resources, and innovation\nthat can be leveraged to advance this program,\u201d the BGN chief said.<\/p>\n<p>President Prabowo Subianto initiated the MBG program as a strategic\ntool to expand access to quality food nationwide while boosting human\ndevelopment, public health, the economy, and employment.<\/p>\n<p>Launched in January 2025, the program has served about 62 million\nschoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and under-five\nchildren across Indonesia, supported by more than 26,000 SPPGs absorbing\nlocally sourced ingredients and employing over one million workers.<\/p>\n<p>The government has set a target to expand outreach to 83 million\npeople this year, with plans to extend coverage to elderly residents and\npeople with disabilities.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia strengthens ASEAN cooperation on school\nmeals<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Gov\u2019t ensures local food sources in MBG stabilise food\nprices<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesian govt drafts rules to secure local food for\nmeal plan<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Abdul Kadir, Tegar Nurfitra<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-opens-campus-based-kitchen-to-expand-free-meals-programme-1777380718",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}