National Nutrition Agency Overhauls Free Nutritious Meals Programme Distribution After Efficiency Drive: Delivery Reduced to Five Days, Bundling System Scrapped

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Operational Nutrition Provision, retired Police General Sony Sonjaya, stated his agency supports budget efficiency for the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG).

The MBG programme’s 2026 budget was slashed from Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion. As a result of these efficiency measures, BGN has altered the distribution pattern.

“We support this budget efficiency. The proof of BGN’s commitment is the change in MBG distribution pattern,” Sony told reporters at BGN headquarters in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

Sony explained that the revised distribution pattern relates to the timing of MBG provision. Previously distributed over six days, it is now reduced to five days.

Additionally, MBG is only provided on school days; it is not distributed during school holidays.

“The previous six-day schedule has been cut to five days, with MBG provided only when students are at school. If students are on holiday or engaged in off-site activities, they no longer receive MBG,” he said.

Moreover, Sony stated that the bundling system — where MBG rations for holidays were distributed ahead of time on school days — has been scrapped.

“Previously, for instance, if Wednesday and Thursday were holidays, MBG for those days would be bundled and given on Tuesday. Now, this bundling system is no longer in place. This is a clear example of our budget efficiency measures,” he added.

It was previously reported that Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa slashed the MBG programme’s 2026 budget allocation from Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion.

During the May 2026 APBN KiTa press conference, Purbaya explained the decision followed President Prabowo’s instructions to ensure more efficient management of MBG funds.

He also noted that as of 30 April 2026, Rp75 trillion had been disbursed, reaching 61.96 million beneficiaries and 27,952 Nutrition Service Units (SPPG).