BGN to operate 900 free meals kitchens in remote areas

“We hope that 900 SPPGs will become operational in one to two months, followed by another 2,000 units. After that, we expect 4,000 more to begin registration in 3T areas,” BGN Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya said in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands, on Friday.

He affirmed that the MBG program implementation in 3T areas will be optimized to improve the health and nutritional intake of children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Sonjaya stated that the registration for SPPGs in 3T areas is handled through the MBG program task forces in districts and cities.

“The MBG program task forces in these 3T areas register with the BGN, after which they are verified to begin the construction and operation of these service units,” he said.

He added that in 2026, the BGN will also increase the number of SPPGs in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province to optimize the program’s implementation there.

Targeting 82.9 million beneficiaries nationwide, the MBG program was launched in early 2025 to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.

The government is moving to expand the program to cover older adults and persons with disabilities this year.

According to data from the BGN, as of April 17, 2026, the number of operational SPPGs across the country has reached 26,489.

Related news: Free meals program aims to change people’s mindsets on nutrition: BGN

Related news: MBG program needed by 65 percent of Indonesians, BGN says

Related news: Minister urges SPPGs to source local food to support village economy

Translator: Aprionis, Raka Adji