Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has called on nutrition service units (SPPGs) operating as kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.BGN Deputy Head Sony Sanjaya stressed that sourcing supplies for the program from local farmers and businesses is vital to support equitable economic development across regions.
"The MBG program is designed not only to meet children’s nutritional needs but also to stimulate local economies," he said in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, on Saturday.
As an example, he noted that an annual budget of about Rp100 billion (nearly US$6 million) is required to procure chicken eggs for the national program in Pidie District, Aceh.
He warned that sourcing eggs from outside the region could result in an indirect loss of that amount to the district's economy growth.
"The same applies to other ingredients; if a region sources them from outside, it will lose the opportunity to meet local needs independently, hindering its economic growth," Sanjaya added.
Baca juga: BGN operasikan 500 dapur SPPG di Sumatera Selatan
He noted that the MBG program has reached about 1.7 million people in Aceh, supported by 553 SPPGs that employ more than 28,000 workers.
The government is spending over Rp17 billion daily on the program in Aceh, assuming each MBG portion is valued at Rp10,000 (US$0.59), he said, reiterating the importance of ensuring self-sufficiency in MBG supplies.
"The program is also intended to empower local farmers and livestock breeders, as it requires rice, vegetables, fruits, and meat," he concluded.
Baca juga: Fatigued MBG driver named suspect in North Jakarta school crash
President Prabowo Subianto introduced MBG as one of his flagship programs, with the goals of improving nutrition, enhancing public health, addressing childhood stunting, nurturing quality human resources, and stimulating economic growth nationwide.
Launched in January 2025, the program had served 58 million schoolchildren, breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and toddlers as of January 12 this year. Prabowo has set a target of expanding coverage to 82 million citizens by the end of 2026.