97 Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens in Yogyakarta Cease Operations
The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) service operated by 97 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) has ceased operations since early June 2026. The service halt is due to administrative obstacles and delays in fund disbursement from the central government through a special account system for each kitchen.
Regional Secretary of DI Yogyakarta, who also serves as Chair of the DIY MBG Acceleration, Ni Made Dwipanti Indrayanti, stated on Thursday, 11 June 2026, that 97 service kitchens have temporarily ceased operations because transfers have not been made and some kitchens have not met the requirements.
Made noted that of the total 97 closed SPPG units, 42 kitchens stopped operating because central funds had not been disbursed through virtual accounts specific to each SPPG. The remaining 55 units were hampered by administrative problems and a suspension of operational status in the field.
She explained that the problem of undisbursed virtual account funds is concentrated in three areas of Yogyakarta. Based on regional mapping, Sleman Regency is the area with the highest number of kitchen closures, reaching 36 units or 37.1 per cent of the total cases.
It is followed by Gunungkidul Regency, where the number of halted kitchens reached 28 units or 28.9 per cent, a condition dominated by funds not yet being disbursed in 22 units. Another area impacted by the budget bottleneck is Bantul Regency, with 10 units. The remaining units across Yogyakarta are reportedly still operating while awaiting further information on fund disbursement.
The cessation of operations of dozens of SPPGs is considered to have a direct impact on the nutritional fulfilment of students in schools. The Special Region of Yogyakarta Government regrets the management’s decision to stop the service abruptly without prior coordination, which has caused problems and dissatisfaction on the ground.
To date, the regional government admits it has not mapped in detail the number of school service points directly affected. However, strict monitoring continues through a task force chaired by the regional secretary in each regency and city.
Made expressed concern that when a kitchen decides to stop operating, there is no notification. As a result, some students may not have had breakfast at home, go to school, and then find their SPPG is not serving them due to a unilateral decision.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated the government would restructure the MBG programme within a month. One reason for the restructuring is the swelling number of SPPG points. Originally, SPPGs were planned to number around 21,000, but there are now 27,877 SPPG points. He calculated that with each SPPG kitchen receiving an incentive of Rp 6 million per day, the budget waste for kitchen incentives is estimated to be more than Rp 1 trillion per month, or Rp 12 trillion annually.