Free Nutritious Meal Programme as Driver of Public Economy and Human Resource Quality

Jakarta — Bambang Purnomo Edi, chairman of the Indonesian Independent Kitchen Association (ADMIN), has emphasised that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) is not merely food distribution but a structured grassroots economic ecosystem that enhances human resource quality.

“We see directly how this programme revitalises communities, absorbs local workers, and provides market certainty for small-scale farmers and livestock raisers in the regions,” Bambang said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Friday.

Bambang stated that various opinions circulating on social media regarding MBG implementation are not entirely accurate, and that the programme is one of the key drivers of the grassroots economy.

He urged the public to remain optimistic and not be swayed by content that unfairly criticises the programme based on individual cases.

“We at ADMIN coordinate closely with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to ensure that over 1,200 independent kitchens under our umbrella are compliant, clean, and highly dedicated units,” he said.

Bambang reaffirmed that the MBG programme is not simply food distribution but a structured grassroots economic ecosystem.

“Independent Kitchens will continue to commit to maintaining quality and transparency in every portion served,” he stated.

In response to social media dynamics, ADMIN firmly expressed support for the enforcement measures taken by Irjen Pol Sony Sanjaya, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, against service units found to fall short of established operational standards.

However, the ADMIN chairman expressed hope that the public would be wise and refrain from spreading disinformation, slander, and hate speech (DFK) when disseminating photos, videos, or news related to the MBG menu.