National Nutrition Agency Halts Temporary Establishment of Free Nutritious Meals Kitchens in West Nusa Tenggara

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has halted the temporary establishment of kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meals programme (MBG) or nutrition service units (SPPG) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The suspension was implemented because the number of MBG beneficiaries in NTB has exceeded the target.

Fathul Gani, head of the NTB MBG Programme Task Force, disclosed that the number of target MBG beneficiaries in Bumi Gora has exceeded the target based on beneficiary data. This situation prompted the suspension of new MBG kitchen construction in NTB for the time being.

“Currently, 732 SPPG units are operational in NTB. If each SPPG serves an average of 3,000 beneficiaries, then the total service capacity reaches more than two million people, which exceeds the beneficiary data in NTB, which stands at 2.1 million people,” Fathul said on Friday (13 March 2026).

From the outset, the target number of MBG beneficiaries in NTB reached 1.9 million, ranging from primary school (SD), junior secondary school (SMP), senior secondary school (SMA) pupils to nursing mothers and infants. Based on this data, Fathul stated, it shows that the production capacity of the free meals programme has exceeded the target number of existing beneficiaries.

“Because of this, the construction of new SPPG units in NTB has been temporarily halted because it has already exceeded its target boundaries. It is overloaded; SPPG construction in NTB has been closed,” Fathul explained.

Fathul explained that with SPPG capacity already exceeding the target number, the MBG programme in NTB will henceforth expand the reach of beneficiaries, one of which is targeting the elderly (lansia) population.

Aside from halting SPPG construction, data collection for new benefit recipients for the NTB region has also been temporarily suspended. Nevertheless, there are 75 SPPG units in the final stages of construction and unable to execute the MBG programme. “Those are just finishing touches,” Fathul said.

Fathul emphasised the importance of oversight regarding the quality and quantity of meals provided to beneficiaries. According to him, oversight is not only carried out by the government, but can also involve the wider community, including community organisations and local government agencies.

“So now everyone can oversee — the community, local government agencies, civil society organisations. For this reason, we emphasise that the menu should never be reduced, either in quantity or quality,” Fathul urged.

BGN, Fathul stressed, has also established budget use transparency in providing MBG menus, including by listing the prices of meals provided.

“In accordance with the prices listed. That is why BGN issued this transparency rule in the form of listing prices,” Fathul clarified.