BGN Chief: Fewer Students Go to School Hungry Since Free Nutritious Meals Programme Began

Jakarta — National Nutrition Agency (BGN) chief Sudaryono said fewer students were going to school hungry since the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme was introduced.

Sudaryono, commonly known as Mas Dar, said research data showed that the proportion of students arriving at school hungry fell from 56% to 16% after MBG was implemented.

“Thankfully, with the MBG programme, the proportion of students going to school hungry has fallen from 56% to 16%. We hope this figure can continue to fall to zero, so that no children go to school hungry,” he said at the inauguration of a nutrition service unit (SPPG) serving disadvantaged, frontier and outermost (3T) areas in Aceh Besar, as quoted on Thursday (15 October 2026).

As well as meeting food needs, MBG has been associated with increased consumption of animal protein among students. According to data cited by Sudaryono, the rate of animal protein consumption rose from 26% before the programme to 84% after its introduction.

The increase highlights the importance of making nutritious food available to school-age children. Animal proteins such as eggs, fish, chicken and meat are among the nutrients needed to support children’s growth and development.

“Children’s consumption of animal protein has increased from 26% to 84%. There are still 16% of children in areas not yet reached by MBG. It is our responsibility to ensure they receive their entitlement at their respective schools as soon as possible,” he said.

Changes in consumption patterns have also been seen for fruit and vegetables. Sudaryono said the rate of fruit and vegetable consumption, previously at 65%, had risen to 90% following the implementation of MBG.

However, meeting nutritional needs depends on more than the availability of food at school. Building healthy eating habits also requires ongoing education so students understand the role of each food group and become accustomed to eating a balanced diet.

Mas Dar therefore stressed the importance of teachers and parents helping children understand their nutritional needs. The education is intended to encourage children to eat a varied diet, including vegetables and fruit, both at school and at home.