BGN Clarifies MBG Objective: Prioritise Toddlers and Pregnant/Breastfeeding Mothers Before Schoolchildren

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sony Sonjaya has clarified that the Free Nutrition Programme (MBG) is not solely intended for school students. Sony stated that the primary target of MBG is vulnerable groups—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers—before extending to schoolchildren. The initiative aims to strengthen understanding, align perspectives, and coordinate efforts among SPPG heads, MBG implementing foundations or partners, and district/city MBG task force leaders.

“At every MBG consolidation meeting across regions, I always stress that the programme’s primary aim is to provide nutrition to vulnerable groups—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers during the critical 1,000-day window of early life. Only then do we address schoolchildren,” Sony said in a statement on Sunday (31 May 2026).

He noted that some parties still perceive MBG as solely focused on providing meals to school students. Sony suspects this misunderstanding stems from the term “school meal,” which has been interpreted as exclusively for students. Consequently, some partners have prioritised school collaborations without fully grasping the government’s set priority targets.

Therefore, Sony reminded all programme implementers—from SPPG heads, foundations, partners, to district-level MBG task forces—to fully understand and implement the intended objectives on the ground.

“Prioritising MBG for vulnerable groups—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers—is the essence of the programme as a strategic national investment. All MBG implementers must internalise this and strictly adhere to the primary objective,” he stressed.

“We must safeguard the MBG programme’s purpose, as it is a priority under President Prabowo Subianto—a noble initiative to cultivate a generation ready to contribute to Golden Indonesia 2045,” he added.