Kudus (ANTARA) \u2013 Most primary school pupils in Kudus Regency, Central\nJava, who took part in a trial preferred the buffet-style format of the\nFree Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. They said the food was served\nfresher and they could take as much as they needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffet service is certainly quicker, and the food is still warm,\ncompared with the previous method, in which meals were packed before\nbeing sent to schools,\u201d Kudus Regency MBG Task Force head Bellinda\nSabrina Putri Birton said in Kudus on Thursday.<\/p>\n
She said that packing meals takes additional time, meaning the food\nmay be cooler by the time pupils eat it.<\/p>\n
The buffet format could also reduce food waste because pupils can\ntake only what they need, including choosing the side dishes they\nlike.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they do not like a particular food or are allergic to an\ningredient, pupils do not have to take it and can choose something else\nthat is available,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Bellinda said the buffet method could make meal service more\nefficient, as food can be eaten as soon as it is served. This would help\nkeep it fresh and reduce the amount thrown away.<\/p>\n
The trial was a central government initiative and was held at two\nstate primary schools in Kudus Regency, one in Kaliwungu District and\nthe other in Mejobo District. It ran for two weeks and involved Year 5\nand Year 6 pupils.<\/p>\n
Monitoring showed that the buffet-style MBG service at both schools\nwent well. Pupils and teachers responded positively to the serving\nmethod.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, further adjustment and outreach are still needed. In\npractice, representatives from the MBG kitchens need to come to the\nschools and help the children as they take their food,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
School staff, meanwhile, served pupils as they collected their\nmeals.<\/p>\n
Bellinda said the buffet method for younger pupils also required\nfurther consideration, particularly for those in Years 1 and 2, who need\nmore intensive assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe use of buffet-style MBG needs to be reviewed further, or\ndiscussed with the central government, particularly for pupils in Years\n1 and 2. It may be better suited to pupils from Year 5 through to\nsecondary school, while those in Years 1 to 4 continue using the \u2018tepak\u2019\nmeal-box method,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Any decision to expand the buffet method is still awaiting guidance\nfrom the central government.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a decision is eventually made to introduce the buffet method, God\nwilling, Kudus Regency will be ready to implement it,\u201d she said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kudus-mbg-task-force-primary-school-pupils-prefer-buffet-style-meals-1793249652", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }