Food Coordinating Ministry Targets Launch of National Command Center for MBG Programme in May 2026

The National Command Center for the nationwide implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme will be located at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, with plans to officially launch it on 17 May, around that date. Jakarta (ANTARA) - Nani Hendiarti, Deputy for Coordination of Food Affordability and Security at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, stated that the government intends to inaugurate the National Command Center for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in mid-May 2026. “So, the command centre will be for the nationwide implementation of the MBG programme at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs; insyaallah, it is planned to be launched (inaugurated) on 17 May, around that date,” Nani Hendiarti said in Jakarta on Sunday. She explained that the operation of this command centre aims to increase synergy between the central government, local governments, and various related stakeholders. Additionally, they are working to strengthen the governance of the programme and improve the quality of services at Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) through this command centre. “In 2026, we are focusing on improving quality through governance enhancements. We also see that meeting the intervention targets for this MBG programme must certainly be achieved,” Nani said. To improve service quality, she stated that thousands of SPPGs have been temporarily suspended until the managers can resolve emerging issues, most of which relate to cases of food poisoning and unhygienic facilities. She conveyed that as of 24 April 2026, 1,789 SPPGs are receiving sanctions of temporary operational suspension, a significant decrease from the previous peak of 3,000 SPPGs. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that some SPPGs have problems that are difficult to resolve, requiring direct consultation with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the main implementer of the MBG programme. “Indeed, there are some (SPPGs) that might be difficult (to fix). Well, those need to be consulted. Whether they need to find another location or how, that needs to be discussed with BGN, of course,” Nani added. In addition to improving SPPG service quality, strengthening governance, and expanding intervention targets, the government is also prioritising the enhancement of benefits’ effectiveness and education on healthy, nutritious food menu choices as the main policies for the MBG programme this year.