Food Coordinator Pushes for Accelerated Activation of Nutrition Service Units in Frontier Regions
The Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkefli Hasan, has ensured the readiness of the Sorong Moisegen Klasof Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) in Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, for immediate activation. This move is intended to facilitate the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme for communities in the 3T regions (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost).
During a visit to the site, Zulkifli Hasan engaged in dialogue with primary and kindergarten students near the SPPG. Upon asking if they had eaten breakfast, many children admitted they had not yet eaten. Zulkifli noted that this situation underscores the vital importance of the MBG Programme in 3T regions. For children in areas with limited access to nutritious food, the meals provided through this programme are not merely an addition but a critical component in meeting nutritional needs.
“I asked the children earlier if they had eaten breakfast. It turns out many had not. Therefore, the Free Nutritious Meal Programme is very important, especially for our children in 3T regions. We want to ensure they receive food that is nutritious, safe, and of high quality,” Zulkifli stated in a written release on Thursday.
The Sorong Moisegen Klasof SPPG is located approximately 60 kilometres from Sorong City. The visit is part of the government’s efforts to accelerate the activation of SPPGs in 3T regions, particularly in areas with high stunting prevalence and limited access to nutritious food.
Zulkifli emphasised that the government is giving special attention to accelerating SPPG activation in these remote areas. In the first phase, 111 SPKG units across nine provinces are prioritised for activation. Southwest Papua is one of the priority provinces, with 14 SPPG units in 3T areas ready to operate.
The Sorong Moisegen Klasof SPPG is one of three 3T units in Sorong Regency. Once activated, the unit is planned to serve approximately 700 beneficiaries in the surrounding area.
“We have come directly to ensure this SPPG is truly ready. We must not only pursue rapid operation, but the quality of food, food safety, kitchen cleanliness, and service to beneficiaries must also be guaranteed. There is zero tolerance regarding food safety for children,” Zulkifli asserted.
The Food Coordinating Minister also requested that SPPGs consider the nutritional needs of the ‘3B’ group—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers—in addition to school children. The use of high-quality and safe local food ingredients should also be optimised so that the implementation of the MBG programme simultaneously provides economic benefits to the community and food producers around the SPPG.
He noted that geographical conditions should not be an obstacle for the public to obtain proper nutritional services. Consequently, the government continues to push for the implementation of the MBG programme to reach those most in need, including those living far from urban centres.
“It is precisely regions like these that we must prioritise. The state must be present even in the most remote places,” he concluded.
Through the National Coordination Team, the government will continue to accelerate the activation of SPPGs in 3T regions while ensuring operational readiness, food safety, and service quality. This step is expected to expand the benefits of the MBG Programme and improve the nutritional quality of communities in areas that have historically faced limited access to nutritious food.