Boosting Income, MBG Becomes a Boon for SMEs

The Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) is proving to be a blessing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the local level. The existence of this programme encourages people’s businesses to grow and develop. This is what is being experienced by the home-based business Dapur Raffa, located in Rejasari RT 01 RW 01, Danasri Village, Nusawungu Subdistrict, Cilacap Regency, Central Java. Thanks to the MBG programme, Siswanti, the owner of Dapur Raffa, is feeling the benefits directly. The MSME, which produces various sweet breads, regularly sends its products to the nearest SPPG. “Thanks to MBG, we feel the benefits. We usually produce sweet bread variants like abin, chocolate, cheese, and strawberry,” said Siswanti. According to Siswanti, the presence of MBG has driven a surge in sales for her business. This is because she must supply the snacks at least twice a week with a capacity of 100-3,000 pieces. “We usually supply twice a week with 100-3,000 pieces for SPPG Danasri,” she explained. As a result, this has increased her business’s income. In fact, Siswanti said that she now has to add more workers to meet the demands from the MBG programme. “Alhamdulillah, there is an increase in income. And it also absorbs additional labour,” she said. Previously, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) recorded that 46,000 MSMEs have been empowered during one year of implementing the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG). The programme not only focuses on fulfilling community nutrition but also serves as a driver of the local economy in various regions. “More than 46,000 MSMEs have been operating as suppliers of raw materials for SPPG kitchens. This collaboration creates a sustainable food supply chain, empowers small businesses, and ensures quality food reaches the beneficiaries,” said Dadan.