Indonesia strengthens ASEAN cooperation on school meals
The “ASEAN-ID Nourish: Forum on Healthy School Meals and Nutrition for Human Capital Development and Resilient Food System” brings together around 50 participants from 11 ASEAN countries and partners, officials said on Monday.
“This forum is an important momentum for ASEAN countries to share experiences and best practices in providing nutritious school meals,” BGN Deputy for Provision and Distribution Suardi Samiran said in Jakarta.
He said safe, nutritious, and quality meals are a key foundation for building healthy, competitive human capital while strengthening regional food security.
The forum aligns with the 2023 ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises, which emphasizes resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.
Through the forum, BGN aims to promote the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices among ASEAN member states and external partners to improve school meal policies and implementation.
BGN will also share best practices from Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, while discussions highlight the role of food supply chain stakeholders in supporting school meal initiatives.
“We will also discuss the strategic role of micro, small, and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and local actors in supporting food supply while strengthening regional economies,” Samiran said.
Participants will visit a Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Semarang to observe program implementation, including local involvement in providing nutritious meals.
The forum includes representatives from ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, external partners, and international organizations, addressing issues such as local supply chains, food safety and hygiene, waste management, and technology use.
The initiative is expected to foster more concrete and collaborative regional efforts in food, nutrition, and human capital development across ASEAN.
Translator: Lintang Budiyanti P, Resinta Sulistiyandari