BGN Halts Free Nutritious Meal Distribution to 76 Affluent Schools, Prioritises Underdeveloped Regions

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has removed 76 schools in Java from the list of beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. This step is part of the agency’s effort to review or refocus the recipients of the programme. BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari stated that this number is expected to increase as the refocusing of MBG beneficiaries continues. A total of 39,352 students from these 76 schools will no longer receive MBG. “As of today, 76 schools in Java with 39,352 student beneficiaries will be streamlined by focusing the budget that was originally allocated there towards the MBG programme for children who require nutritional fulfilment intervention,” Agustina said during a press conference at the BGN Office, quoted Friday, 19 June 2026. Agustina explained that the BGN has deemed these 76 schools capable of meeting their students’ nutritional needs independently. Consequently, the BGN no longer needs to distribute MBG to these schools. On the other hand, the BGN will redirect MBG distribution from these schools to other schools, including those in 3T regions (disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost). Additionally, the agency will prioritise the groups of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers in the distribution of MBG. “Ladies and gentlemen, the figures above will continue to be updated. As I mentioned earlier, these numbers are provisional as of today. We are still working to improve data quality, because data is crucial as the basis for us to make policies regarding the refocusing of beneficiaries,” she said. She explained that several indicators were used by the BGN in removing these schools, including nutritional vulnerability, socio-economic conditions, and access to nutritional fulfilment. “For those who can independently meet their nutritional needs due to conditions such as being in a high economic decile, the free nutritious meal programme will not be provided,” she stated. She emphasised that this is done to ensure the MBG programme is precisely targeted, especially as the government is also implementing efficiency measures in the programme’s execution.