MBG Programme Helps Combat Stunting and Eases Burden on Padang Serai Residents
The presence of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is directly felt by the community in Padang Serai subdistrict, Bengkulu, in combating stunting.
Yuyun, head of Posyandu Anggita and owner of PAUD Yuyun, views this programme as a concrete step in helping to meet the nutritional needs of residents, particularly in areas with middle-to-lower economic conditions.
“As someone in the education field, I was initially motivated to open a posyandu. So, after opening the posyandu, when MBG came along, I immediately accepted it because it covers pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B) to help reduce stunting,” Yuyun said in her statement in Jakarta on Friday.
She explained that Padang Serai is an area with a diverse community from various ethnic groups, with the majority earning a living as farmers and fishermen from the middle-to-lower class. This situation often makes meeting family nutritional needs a challenge.
“Initially, Bengkulu was known for stunting issues; that was our starting point. So, with the 3B menu, it’s to address the stunting problem. They just know about eating with side dishes and vegetables, but it doesn’t necessarily meet the adequate nutritional standards. With the 3B menu, their nutrition is fulfilled,” she stated.
The community’s enthusiasm for the programme is very high. Since its implementation began, she said, there has been no rejection from residents. On the contrary, the arrival of MBG is eagerly awaited on every distribution schedule.
Currently, Posyandu Anggita serves around 113 beneficiaries, consisting of 31 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and 83 toddlers. The food distribution, which was initially done twice a week, has become a highly anticipated moment for the residents.
In terms of quality, Yuyun assesses that the provided menu is already very good and difficult for some residents to afford if they had to buy it themselves. Menus featuring meat, chicken, and eggs served alternately add significant value to nutritional fulfilment.
Specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, larger portions of food are also provided to meet their higher nutritional needs.
“If we want to buy two slices of meat, it’s expensive, they say. Alhamdulillah, for the menu with four slices of meat. Their menu is good. Mostly meat and chicken. Occasionally interspersed with eggs,” she remarked.
She hopes that in the future, the MBG Programme can reach more beneficiaries, given that there are still residents who have not been accommodated due to quota limitations.