Free Nutritious Meals for All: Same Taste, No Barriers

The atmosphere at SDN Gentan in Seyegan, Sleman, was warm as the distribution of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) began. Children queued orderly in front of the classroom before returning to their desks with the same meal. Amidst chatter and small laughs, all students enjoyed the identical menu, creating a simple moment of togetherness full of meaning. From this scene, Rosi Doniyati, a parent of a pupil at SDN Gentan, grasped the most important meaning of the MBG programme. For her, the opportunity for all children to obtain nutritious food equally is something worth preserving. Rosi said all children retain the same feelings despite coming from different social or economic family conditions. Therefore, providing MBG to all students is considered important so that no one feels left out. “Whether rich or poor, able or not, they all still receive it,” she said. Rosi also assessed that the food provided has helped meet children’s nutritional needs. According to her, the menu received already covers elements of balanced nutritious food. For Rosi, good change can start from simple things felt directly by the community. MBG is one form of effort so that children have equal access to develop, in line with the spirit of independence felt by all citizens without exception. A similar sentiment was expressed by Is Hartati, a parent of a fifth-grade student at SDN Gentan. Hartati said the most important meaning of the MBG programme is the opportunity for all children to obtain nutritious food equally. Besides presenting a sense of justice for the children, Hartati feels MBG also helps parents who do not always have time to prepare packed lunches every day. “Especially children, if one is not given and another is given, there will be jealousy. In my opinion, it must be equalised for everyone. It really helps mothers at home. Those who should be busy preparing lunch or whatever, it turns out they are helped by this MBG,” said Hartati. Meanwhile, at SDN Gentan, MBG Coordinator Wihandoko Suko Lelono has witnessed changes slowly growing since the MBG programme began on 18 August 2025. Now, 163 students enjoy the benefits of the programme every school day. For him, MBG is not only about the food students receive, but also about forming positive habits in the school environment. In the classroom, MBG becomes a learning space. Before receiving food, students are accustomed to queuing orderly. When there is a menu item they dislike, they often share with friends who prefer it. “The class is also a family, after all. So, which one do you like? Oh, I like this one. So it builds togetherness,” he said. According to Wihandoko, these simple habits teach children to respect each other and share, while also supporting the learning process because all students receive the same menu with calculated nutritional standards. “Because all children receive the same thing. And the nutrition is certainly adequate, because it has been measured by nutritionists,” he said. The meaning of independence is now not only measured by a nation’s liberation from colonialism. Independence is also reflected in the presence of equal opportunities for every citizen to live healthily, pursue education, and develop their potential without being hindered by access to basic needs. With this spirit, the MBG programme is present as one of the government’s steps to guarantee the fulfilment of Indonesian children’s basic rights. The programme is designed so that every child obtains access to nutritious food regardless of economic background, religion, place of residence, or social status. Through a portion of nutritious food, the government seeks to bring the principle of equality into daily life. Children attending schools in big cities and remote areas have the same opportunity to obtain the nutritional intake needed to support growth, health, and the learning process. The MBG programme is also expected to reduce nutritional quality gaps that have existed across various regions in Indonesia. By fulfilling nutritional needs from an early age, Indonesian children will have more equal opportunities to develop their potential and achieve success. The ‘MBG for All’ concept emphasises that access to nutritious food is the right of every Indonesian child. Through this programme, the government not only seeks to meet nutritional needs but also to reduce social disparities and promote social justice. The programme also carries a ‘no barriers’ concept, stressing that every Indonesian child has the right to equal access to nutritious food. Through this approach, the programme seeks to ensure that children’s basic rights can be enjoyed equally across the entire Indonesian archipelago. Public policy analyst Trubus Rahardiansah said Indonesia’s vast territory and diverse population mean access to and fulfilment of community nutrition is not uniform. Therefore, Trubus agrees that the MBG programme creates uniformity in efforts to fulfil community nutrition. “Because Indonesia’s territory is vast and diverse, its population is diverse, so the way of viewing nutrition also varies. Now there is a national nutrition standard, that’s why it is called the National Nutrition Agency. This nutrition becomes a standard,” Trubus told CNNIndonesia.com on Friday (31/7). More than just providing food, a plate of nutritious food in the MBG programme also becomes a symbol of togetherness. The programme reflects the spirit of independence that is felt equally by all citizens.