MBG 5 Days or 6 Days a Week? This is What the Head of BGN Says

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has responded to plans for efficiency in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme by reducing the number of distributions from six times a week to five times a week. Dadan stated that MBG distributions will be adjusted according to students’ attendance at school.

“For schoolchildren specifically, MBG will be distributed if they are present at school. If school is five days, they will receive MBG for five days, whereas if there is a school that operates six days, MBG will be provided for six days. Based on the available data, the majority of schools operate for five days,” said Dadan when responding to proposals for efficiency in the MBG Programme, as reported by Antara on Friday (27/3/2026).

Dadan emphasised that in 2026, BGN will focus on improving quality, in line with instructions from President Prabowo Subianto, which is also one of the efforts to maintain the programme’s effectiveness. He also stated that the MBG received consists of fresh and ready-to-eat food.

“The basis for MBG distribution is fresh ready-to-eat food delivered to the beneficiary locations based on the list that has been surveyed. For pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers to posyandus or homes, while for students to their respective schools. For santri and other religious schoolchildren to their boarding places. If there is a holiday, then MBG distribution stops,” he explained.

Previously, the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, revealed that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has prepared options for efficiency in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The efficiency plan involves reducing the number of distributions from six times a week to five times a week.

Purbaya said the state could save around Rp 40 trillion per year if this is implemented. That figure is based on a rough calculation from BGN.

“So there is also efficiency from MBG. There is a significant reduction, he just said Rp 40 trillion as the initial rough calculation, but it could be more. It’s not me cutting it, indeed they are doing it themselves, because they (BGN) said there can still be efficiency in the current situation,” said Purbaya to reporters at his office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3).