DPR Member: Free Nutritious Food Programme Has Major Impact on Public Health
Surabaya — A member of DPR Commission IX, Lucy Kurniasari, has stated that the Free Nutritious Food Programme (MBG) delivers major health benefits to the public whilst simultaneously increasing awareness about the importance of balanced nutrition.
“Generally, the public views the MBG Programme as a good and beneficial policy. However, some members of the public were initially concerned due to reporting on social media,” said Lucy in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday.
She emphasised that nutritious food provides significant benefits for public health and welfare and should be fully accepted by beneficiaries in accordance with established standards.
To this end, she organised an awareness-raising activity for the MBG Programme at the RW 7 Community Centre in Kalibutuh, Bubutan District, Surabaya.
The programme targets not only students from kindergarten through secondary school but also other community groups including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children.
Lucy also praised all parties supporting the awareness-raising activity, including the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and community leaders actively educating the public about the importance of adequate nutrition intake.
“The public also has an important role in monitoring programme implementation to ensure it runs in accordance with government standards,” she stated.
The programme involves the livestock and agriculture sectors, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located near Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).
In programme management, professional staff including SPPG heads, accounting personnel, and nutritionists ensure food quality and proper programme administration.
Lucy emphasised that improving public nutrition quality is an important part of human resource development efforts in line with the national development agenda.
Through this awareness-raising initiative, the public is expected to better understand the importance of balanced nutrition intake and actively support the success of the MBG Programme as a strategic step towards improving public health and welfare.