Nanik Admits Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens are Overcrowded, New Registrations to be Postponed

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik S. Deyang, stated that the number of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), also known as Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) kitchens, currently in operation has exceeded 27,000. Consequently, Nanik will implement a moratorium or a delay in the registration of new MBG kitchens.

“For example, if six kitchens are sufficient for one sub-district, then six is enough. Will we reopen later? If we observe a shortage after our assessment, we will reopen the registration,” Nanik said during a press conference at the BGN Office on Thursday, 4 June 2026.

She admitted that MBG kitchens have accumulated heavily in urban agglomeration areas, whereas kitchens in 3T (frontier, outermost, and least developed) regions have not yet been reached by the BGN. She noted that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the BGN to prioritise kitchens in these 3T regions.

“We need to tidy this up first because, frankly, what is currently accumulating is in the agglomerations, while the 3T areas remain untouched. The President’s message is that we must go to the 3T areas first,” she said.

When asked about the duration of the delay, Nanik could not provide a specific timeframe. However, she emphasised that the BGN will work towards the equitable distribution of MBG kitchens, focusing on the beneficiaries.

“As soon as possible. The core objective is equitable distribution. This means not just ensuring the kitchens receive benefits, but ensuring all children receive them without necessarily having an excessive number of kitchens,” Nanik explained.

“Having too many kitchens is inefficient because we rent them. We are pausing this process to determine the ideal number of kitchens required per sub-district or regency,” she added.

She further stated that the agency is collaborating with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs to manage the distribution of beneficiaries.

“This is very straightforward and can be done quickly because we are currently working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs to calculate exactly how many are needed,” she concluded.