MBG Not Only Fulfils Nutrition, But Also Drives the Rural Economy

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Association of Nutritious Meal Entrepreneurs (Gapembi) says the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) not only focuses on meeting the nutritional needs of the public but can also stimulate the growth of a people-powered economy through involvement of local business players. Gapembi’s Chairman Alven Stony said the organisation exists to support the sustainability of the MBG programme while helping to socialise the programme to the public. According to Alven, Gapembi together with MBG partners do not use funds from the State Budget (APBN) in its implementation. “Gapembi is here to correct various incorrect information about the MBG programme, so the aspirations of the nation’s children are not hindered by misunderstandings or the suspension of the programme,” Alven said in a press release marking the inauguration of the Lampung Regional Leadership Council (DPW Gapembi Lampung), quoted on Wednesday (20 May 2026). He said the sustainability of the MBG Programme is important to support a healthier and higher-quality future for Indonesia’s generations. In the same occasion, Tengku Syahdana, Director of Promotion and Community Empowerment at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) of the Republic of Indonesia, said Indonesia has now become the second-largest nutritionally-appropriate meals programme in the world after India. He said the programme is designed not only to meet the nutritional needs of the population but also to strengthen the people’s economy. “This programme is not just about meeting nutrition, but also to foster synergies in a people-powered economy for all stakeholders,” said Tengku. Tengku explained that every Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) is required to involve at least five different suppliers in its supply chain. He said the scheme is designed so that the programme’s economic benefits can be felt more widely by communities in the regions. “The aim is for the economic benefits to be spread and welfare to rise together,” he added. Meanwhile, Lampung Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal assessed that the MBG Programme could be one solution to reduce social inequality, particularly regarding access to nutrition for people in rural areas.