BGN Asks SPPG to Prioritize MBG for 3B Before Targeting Schools

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has asked Free Nutritious Meal Service Units (SPPG) to prioritize pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers — collectively known as the 3B group — under the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) before targeting schools and students.

This emphasis is considered important as there are still differing interpretations in the field. During the early stages of SPPG establishment, some partners immediately formed partnerships with schools, when in fact, newly built SPPG kitchens should first ensure coverage of the 3B group.

“I must stress this point because there are differences in understanding. When an SPPG was newly built, there were even partners who actively established partnerships with schools right away. In reality, when a kitchen is newly built by a partner, the first priority should be finding these vulnerable groups — toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. They must come first,” said BGN Deputy Chief Sony Sonjaya in an official statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Sony also noted that the MBG Program has an advantage over practices in many other countries, as more than 77 countries only implement school meals, whereas Indonesia is a pioneer in providing meals for the 3B group.

“Indonesia doesn’t just do school meals — it’s school meals plus, because we also think about the 3B group,” he said.

He added that Indonesia is one of the countries innovating by delivering nutritious meals directly to the homes of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers through the support of posyandu (community health post) volunteers. This is based on the importance of the first 1,000 days of life, as the MBG Program is not merely a food distribution program but a long-term investment in preparing for Golden Indonesia 2045.

Sony also said the program is shifting public mindsets. Children across Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua, are beginning to understand that nutritious food must contain complete elements — carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and vitamins.

“The mindset of Indonesians is changing. Previously, people didn’t pay attention to what their food contained. Now children are starting to see — from Aceh to Papua, from villages to metropolitan areas — that a meal should contain four elements: carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and vitamins,” Sony said.