BGN Clarifies 13,000 Free Meal Kitchens Not Opening at Once, Only 300 SPPG to Operate Next Week
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has clarified circulating information regarding the opening of 13,000 Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), or kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. He stressed that this figure does not mean all kitchens will begin operating in the near future.
According to Sudaryono, the more than 13,000 SPPG mentioned represent the total data points of kitchens recorded by the BGN with varying statuses. Some are still planned location points, while others have been completed and are ready to enter the operational phase.
The statement was made by Sudaryono to correct public perception that developed after an assumption emerged that the government would immediately open 13,000 MBG kitchens simultaneously.
‘There was a buzz after the Coordinating Minister made a statement as if we were opening 13,000 kitchens immediately, that is not the case. So, we already have data on around 13,000-plus kitchens with all their statuses. Some are just points, and some are already finished,’ Sudaryono said during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
He explained that the BGN is currently matching or overlaying data with the Ministry of Health to determine priority areas for operating the MBG kitchens. The determination of locations is based on the level of need, especially areas with high to very high stunting rates. Regions such as East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and several areas in Papua are the government’s main focus in the initial phase of the programme.
Sudaryono explained that based on the interim data matching results, there are approximately 1,700 kitchens that have been completed and are ready to operate. All of these kitchens are located in areas with high stunting rates, making them a priority in the implementation of the MBG programme.
‘God willing, next week we will gradually release those that are ready. From the overlay data, there are around 1,700 data points or kitchens that are ready, already built, just awaiting operation, located in areas with high and very high stunting,’ he said.
Despite having around 1,700 kitchens ready for use, the BGN will not operate all of them simultaneously. The government has chosen to carry out the activation process in stages so that the programme implementation can run optimally. Next week, only around 300 SPPG will be activated.