This is the BGN Strategy for Distributing Free Nutritious Meals in Food-Insecure Areas

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is conducting data validation in collaboration with three Ministries/Institutions (K/L) for the distribution of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) in food-vulnerable areas. The three ministries are the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga)/National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), which already possess more valid data through their field teams to ensure MBG distribution is more targeted. Deputy Head of BGN for Operational Nutrition Fulfilment, Sony Sonjaya, stated that the government is continuously coordinating to focus MBG distribution on malnourished children in the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions. “We have much more fixed data than what we have used previously. From the Ministry of Health, we received information and data that if focused on food-vulnerable areas, there are 81 districts/cities already designated as food-vulnerable regions,” said Sony during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, 23 April 2026. He continued that if focused on poor populations, there are 273 districts/cities declared as areas with poor populations, and 304 districts/cities recorded with high stunting prevalence. “We use this data so that MBG distribution is truly directed at these groups, totalling 405 in all. We will map them properly and inform all field implementers,” Sony explained. He added that specifically in these 405 districts/cities, MBG distribution will prioritise groups that are food-vulnerable, poor populations, and those with high stunting prevalence, including areas where nutrition is still inadequate. BGN, along with the three related institutions, is also continuing to strengthen the capacity of data guardians in all regions so that data presentation can be more accurate for more targeted MBG distribution.