Government to Open 13,000 New Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens, Prioritising High-Stunting Regions

The government is accelerating the opening of Nutritional Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) that are ready to operate in support of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme. Of the approximately 13,000 SPPG points that have been prepared, the government is prioritising openings in regions with high stunting prevalence, especially in Papua Pegunungan, Papua, and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated that areas with high stunting rates will be the main priority. The government is targeting the opening of SPPGs in these regions to be completed within one month, while other regions will require up to two months.

“We are dividing it into two. For underdeveloped regions, those described by Mas Dar (Head of BGN, Sudaryono) and the Health Minister as having high stunting rates, the red areas on the map, those are the priority. For example, Papua Pegunungan, NTT, the Papua provinces and NTT. We will complete these within this month,” Zulhas said during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/7/2026).

However, he noted that not all 13,000 points will be opened simultaneously. The opening will be carried out in stages, prioritising the priority areas.

“Of the 13,000 (SPPG points), that is only a portion. For the majority, we need two months. Those are in Sumatra and Java. The 3T regions as well. A small portion, the very important ones like in the Papua highlands, NTT and others, we will complete in one month. We will study the rest, it will take two months,” he explained.

Zulkifli also requested that parties who have been waiting for certainty regarding the SPPG openings understand the stages being undertaken by the government and refrain from holding further demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the opening of SPPGs in areas with high stunting rates is part of the government’s agreement to strengthen the implementation of the MBG Programme. He stated that before 5 August 2026, the government will immediately decide on the opening of SPPGs that are ready to operate in priority areas.

“I have just messaged the stunting locations, including the specific regencies and cities. Before the 5th (of August), the Head of BGN will immediately decide to open the SPPGs that are ready directly in areas with high stunting rates,” Budi said on the same occasion. He emphasised that this step is expected to accelerate the handling of nutritional issues and stunting, alongside improvements in targeting beneficiaries, menu standards, and programme evaluation.