MBG Found to Ease the Economic Burden on Families of Beneficiary Children

Jakarta — The findings of a study by the Research Institute of Socio-Economic Development (RISED) and the Sociology Study Centre at the University of Indonesia (LabSosio UI) show that the MBG programme has several positive aspects for pupils and the wider community.

RISED researcher M. Fajar Rakhmadi explained that the MBG programme has affected household expenditures and beneficiary children. Some 81 per cent of parents from vulnerable households said they supported the continuation of MBG.

‘Interestingly, this support is not merely about saving money, but more about a sense of security and certainty that their children have access to nutritious meals at school,’ Fajar said in a statement on Friday, 6 March 2026.

RISED’s findings indicate patterns of change in children’s eating habits. Some 72 per cent of parents reported that their children were more consistently consuming nutritious meals, and 55 per cent stated that their children were more willing to accept a variety of foods.

‘Beyond merely filling and nourishing, MBG appears to have an impact on students’ motivation to learn,’ he added.

Similar findings were also observed in LabSosio UI’s research. Head of LabSosio-LPPSP FISIP UI, Dr. Hari Nugroho, MA, explained that one of the most encouraging findings from the study is the high level of public acceptance, particularly among the lower-middle and lower-income segments.

‘Parents met in the field generally gave very positive assessments of this programme,’ Hari said.

According to the study’s results, the presence of MBG is deemed to help ease the economic burden on families and save children’s pocket money.

For busy working parents in the morning, the programme provides a practical solution that ensures their children do not go hungry and continue to have access to nutritious meals at school.

‘Almost half of the pupils or 48.5 per cent of students said they rarely or never had breakfast before heading to school. Consequently, 85.8 per cent of students always consume the MBG meals served,’ he said.

Overall, the MBG programme has laid a solid foundation in supporting the health and education of Indonesia’s children. With ongoing refinements and cross-sectoral synergy, the programme is ready to become a key catalyst in building a healthier and smarter generation of Indonesians.