BGN Suspends Free Nutritious Meals for Mothers and Toddlers During School Holidays

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has decided to suspend the provision of free nutritious meals for toddlers, breastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women during the school holiday period. This is stipulated in Circular Letter Number 12 of 2026 concerning the Adjustment of SPPG Operations on Holidays in the Implementation of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) issued by the BGN.

“Yes, the 3B group (toddlers, breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women). So the calculation applies to both students and non-students. The 3B group falls under non-students,” said BGN Deputy Head and Spokesperson Agustina Arumsari during a press conference at the BGN Office in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Based on the new circular, meal preparation units (SPPG) will also no longer receive a daily incentive of Rp6 million. The holidays referred to in the letter include school holidays (even/odd semesters), national holidays, religious holidays, optional local government holidays, as well as Saturdays and Sundays.

Arumsari explained that the circular was issued by the BGN to optimise operational governance and resource efficiency. “It coincides with the school holidays, as the Ministry of Education has formally set the school break from 22 June to 13 July 2026,” Arumsari stated.

She emphasised that the previous rule regarding MBG distribution during holidays using a bundling or holiday package system will no longer apply. This also extends to holidays during the Ramadan month and other breaks. “For this period, the policy we have adopted is to completely halt MBG distribution, with the aim of standardising operational governance and achieving resource efficiency,” Arumsari said.

The BGN acknowledges that this policy may not please all parties, particularly SPPG partners. “There may be larger considerations beyond the interests of certain parties who happen to be our partners. Meanwhile, on other days, operations continue. So it seems fair: no operations, no service, no pay,” she remarked.