BGN Emphasises that MBG Programme Boosts Local Economies

Jakarta, VIVA – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has emphasised the main objective of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which is to provide nutritional intake to vulnerable groups or pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B) before targeting school participants.

“As per the established objectives, I need to clarify the MBG programme. Every time I visit several regions, the priority is always mentioned as schoolchildren or participants, so in practice, many partners immediately build SPPG and sign agreements with school principals,” said Deputy Head of BGN for Operational Nutrition Fulfilment, Sony Sonjaya, in Jakarta on Thursday, 16 April 2026.

He emphasised that Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) must consider the 3B group to improve the nutritional quality of the nation’s children in the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) or ages 0-2 years.

“Who are the vulnerable groups? They are pregnant women, because the foetus in the womb is also already considered by the government; they must receive nutritional intake. Breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and only then school participants. So, the priority is the 1,000 HPK,” he stated.

Sony also highlighted practices that violate regulations between partners and SPPG, which deviate from the main goal of this national priority programme, namely to improve the nation’s nutritional quality.

“Often they make, as I call it, malicious agreements. There is a clause ‘we will not accept MBG from other foundations besides this foundation’. That is actually not allowed. Finally, every time we go to the regions, we clarify that the main objective of the MBG programme is to provide nutritional intake to vulnerable groups,” he explained.

Sony also stated that the MBG programme has now created a chain effect in reviving or boosting regional economies.

“Currently, there are 26,663 SPPG, and last night I saw the data has reached 27,066 verified SPPG, so 25,000 are operational. From that number of SPPG, 1.18 million volunteers have been working. So, if we talk about community empowerment, the first manifestation seen is the 27,000 SPPG. All of them involve the community,” said Sony Sonjaya. (Ant)