BGN: Main goal of MBG is to provide nutritional intake for pregnant women to toddlers

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has emphasised that the main goal of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is to provide nutritional intake to vulnerable groups or pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B) before targeting students.

“As per the established objectives, I need to clarify the MBG programme. Every time I visit several regions, the priority is always mentioned as school children or students, 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.

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

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

Sony further stated that the MBG programme has now created a chain effect in revitalising or boosting the regional economy.

“Currently, there are 26,663 SPPGs, and last night I saw data showing 27,066 verified SPPGs, so 25,000 are operational. From that number of SPPGs, 1.18 million volunteers are working. So, when talking about community empowerment, the first visible manifestation is the 27,000 SPPGs. All of them involve the community,” said Sony Sonjaya.