Free Nutritious Meals Programme Rules During Ramadan 2026: Food Distribution Schedule Announced

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has determined that Ramadan 2026 fasting begins on 19 February. The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme will continue to operate during Ramadan 2026.

According to the official website of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), adjustments to MBG distribution during Ramadan will be made according to the characteristics of recipients. The details are as follows:

• For school students in areas where the majority observe fasting, BGN will continue distributing food during school hours for pupils to take home and consume at the time of breaking fast (iftar).
• In areas where the majority of beneficiaries observe fasting, MBG may be provided in the form of healthy packaged meals.
• In areas where the majority do not fast, MBG operations will proceed as normal.
• In Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), MBG will be distributed ahead of iftar time.
• MBG beneficiaries such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers will continue to receive meals as normal. Toddlers are not subject to fasting obligations, so there will be no changes to MBG distribution for them.
• Specifically for MBG operations in pesantren and Muslim boarding schools, food preparation will be carried out during the afternoon for serving at iftar, or the timing may be adjusted through coordination between the head of the food preparation centre (SPPG) and the person in charge at the educational institution.
• Specifically for MBG operations during Ramadan in Aceh and West Sumatra provinces, SPPG centres will coordinate with local governments and adapt to local cultural wisdom, customs, traditions, and applicable laws.

MBG Distribution Schedule During Ramadan

According to Circular Letter of the Head of BGN Number 3 of 2026 concerning MBG Services during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 H/2026 and the 2026 Lunar New Year Holiday, the MBG programme will continue to be implemented during Ramadan 2026. However, there will be no MBG distribution at the start of fasting.

The provision of nutritious meals will be temporarily suspended from 18-22 February 2026. MBG distribution will resume on 23 February 2026.

“At the beginning of Ramadan, from Wednesday 18 February 2026 to Sunday 22 February 2026, there will be no MBG distribution. MBG distribution during Ramadan will commence simultaneously on Monday, 23 February 2026,” as quoted from point 10b of the circular.

MBG Menu Requirements During Ramadan

In determining MBG menus during Ramadan, it is not recommended to serve food that spoils quickly, has a spicy flavour, or has the potential to cause food safety incidents. Additionally, MBG recipients will receive menus in healthy packaging that do not use ultra-processed food (UPF) products.

UPF refers to food manufactured through a series of industrial processes using additives such as preservatives, colourants, and flavourings. The primary purpose of ultra-processed food products is to make them ready-to-eat, long-lasting, and easy to serve.

“Recommended menu items for packaged meals include salted eggs, meat floss (abon), dried jerky (dendeng), fruit, or other local speciality foods, as well as dates (optional), whilst maintaining food safety, food quality, and nutritional standards according to the age group of beneficiaries,” said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana.