National Nutrition Agency Halts Free Nutritious Meal Distribution During School Holidays

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has altered the implementation scheme of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme during the school holiday period. Unlike previous periods, such as during Ramadan or previous school holidays when meals were still distributed via food packages or bundling, distribution will now be completely halted during the school holidays.

This policy is outlined in Circular Letter (SE) Number 12 of 2026 regarding the Operational Adjustment of Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) during holiday periods for the implementation of the 2026 MBG Programme.

The Deputy Head and Spokesperson for the BGN, Agustina Arumsari, stated that the circular was issued on 17 June 2026 as part of an effort to restructure the programme’s implementation.

“This afternoon, we from the BGN will convey that on 17 June 2026, the BGN issued SE Number 12 of 2026 regarding the operational adjustment of SPPG during holiday periods for the implementation of the MBG programme for the 2026 fiscal year,” Agustina said during a press conference at the agency’s office in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6/2026).

According to her, the step was taken to support the optimisation of operational management, resource efficiency, and the standardisation of programme implementation at the SPPG level.

“Therefore, this circular was issued to optimise operational governance, resource efficiency, and the standardisation of the MBG programme within the SPPG,” she added.

Agustina explained that the decision coincides with the school holiday period set by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, running from 22 June to 13 July 2026.

She noted that this policy differs from the previous Ramadan period and earlier school holidays, when students on holiday still received meals through a special mechanism.

“You may not have forgotten that during the Ramadan period, even during holidays, there was an MBG distribution system, a bundling system, and so on. However, for this time, the policy we have taken is to completely cease MBG distribution with the aim of standardising operational governance and resource efficiency,” Agustina explained.

She added that the BGN intends to utilise the school holiday momentum to carry out improvements and reorganise the programme’s governance.