NU's MBG kitchen distributes 12,000 free meals during congress
The Coordination and Acceleration Team for Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), together with the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen under the auspices of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), distributed more than 12,000 free meals during the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java.
Gus Ulun, the person in charge of the MBG programme during the congress, said the food distributed was a contribution from the MBG Coordination and Acceleration Team and the SPPG kitchen under PBNU.
“For the distribution system, it will be distributed to several points arranged by our team and the Jombang PCNU team. So for the MBG distribution, we provide 3,000 boxes each day,” he said in a statement received on Saturday.
He explained that the distribution of MBG to congress participants was carried out through two mechanisms: food delivered directly to a number of posts, and participants collecting food directly at the Jombang PCNU post.
According to him, the mechanism was implemented to ensure that food distribution could reach participants attending congress activities at various points.
With a distribution of around 3,000 boxes per day, the programme became a form of mutual cooperation in supporting the organisation of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang.
The food distribution began on 26 August 2026 to support the consumption needs of congress participants during the series of the 35th NU Congress, which took place on 27–31 August 2026.
Gus Ulun added that PCNU or Provincial Nahdlatul Ulama Boards (PWNU) requiring MBG for their respective posts could coordinate with the committee.
“For PCNU or PWNU that wish to have MBG at their respective posts, they can contact the committee via the SPPG Nahdlatul Ulama Instagram account,” he said.
Saifullah Yusuf, Chair of the Organising Committee of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress, said the mutual cooperation of the surrounding community was one of the blessings in the implementation of the NU Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Tambakberas, Jombang.
Gus Ipul, as he is affectionately known, said the blessing was evident in the concern of residents who voluntarily provided assistance to support the implementation of the 35th NU Congress, without asking for anything in return or expecting their names to be mentioned.
“There were residents who came to donate rice, some brought vegetables, and others brought goats and even cows. They came without being asked, gave without wanting to be named. Some simply said, this is for the kiai, this is for Nahdlatul Ulama,” he said.
According to Gus Ipul, such support shows that NU’s strength lies not only in its organisational structure or number of members, but also in the love, devotion, mutual cooperation and sincerity of its followers.
“That is where the strength of Nahdlatul Ulama is felt. Not merely the strength of structure, not only the strength of numbers, but the strength of love, devotion, mutual cooperation and sincerity,” he said.
He added that this spirit was an important part of the organisation of the 35th NU Congress, which from the outset was expected to take place in a joyful and blessed atmosphere.
The 35th NU Congress took place at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, on 27–31 August 2026. The event served as NU’s highest deliberative forum to discuss various organisational agendas and the future policy direction of NU.