Nutritionist: MBG Effective to Break the Chain of Stunting

JAKARTA - The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program has proven to have a massive impact on millions of Indonesian children. Not only as a solution to nutritional fulfillment in schools, this program is designed as a strategic government program to solve the structural problems of the economy of vulnerable families which have an impact on the problem of stunting.

This was conveyed by Lesda Lybaws, M.Gz, Nutritionist IPB and also the Board of Directors of the Central Committee of the IPB Alumni Association of the Department of Nutrition. Lesda agreed that MBG is a tangible manifestation of the country's long-term investment that directly touches the root of the problem in society. "The stunting problem in Indonesia is like an iceberg phenomenon that has multidimensional roots ranging from, food intake, economy (family), to poor sanitation that triggers repeated infections in children," he said.

According to Lesda, MBG comprehensively cuts the chain of these protracted problems. Now, the MBG program not only targets school-age children, but has also included the 3B target. Namely, toddlers, breastfeeding mothers (Busui), and pregnant mothers (Bumil) to target the golden period of the First 1,000 Days of Life.

In line with Lesda's opinion, behind the narrative of providing lunch, MBG is also actually present as a bridge to overcome family economic vulnerability. Dr. Tri Nuryanti, Director of Food Security Management of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), revealed that currently there are still 81 districts/cities that are vulnerable to food insecurity. In these areas, pre-prosperous families often have to allocate at least 65 percent of their total income just for food shopping.

"When there is an affordability bridge called MBG, the burden of parents' food expenses is automatically reduced drastically. MBG is very effective in dealing with food insecurity while raising the economic status of the family, because their remaining income can now be diverted to other education or health needs," said Dr. Tri Nuryanti.

In other words, MBG helps improve the economic structure of pre-prosperous families who have been trapped in the circle of poverty due to the high burden of meeting basic needs which has an impact on the emergence of health problems and their quality of life so far.

Despite having a good vision, the MBG program needs to continue to be monitored by all parties so that improvements in the quality of implementation on the ground will improve. Experts see that the government is very serious about transforming from the concept of "cook, wrap, and deliver" to a measurable, safe, and empowering food system governance.

Lesda appreciates the government's move to focus more on clarity of technical Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in public kitchens to mitigate the risk of food safety incidents.

"Our basic principle is that the food distributed must be guaranteed halal, safe, and provide good outcomes. The ongoing evaluation is making the MBG program more mature and perfect," he added.

For example, in Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, the operation of 117 Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) is closely monitored. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is not afraid to freeze the operation of kitchens that violate standards, both in terms of wastewater management (IPAL) and the quality of the suitability of raw materials.

This was emphasized directly by Zulkifli Taluhumala, Coordinator of the Gorontalo Provincial SPPG. "It was found that the bread given to the SPPG was already somewhat moldy. That was immediately reported to the leadership and the kitchen at that time we closed it. That is, it is purely a violation of SOP," said Zulkifli.

However, he added that every evaluation was carried out for the improvement of the program in the future. "Nothing is perfect, of course, there are still many shortcomings in the field. However, from these imperfections we make learning and evaluation so that the service will be much better," he added.

In addition to strict supervision, each kitchen is also subject to a maximum distribution radius of 5 kilometers so that food arrives at the children's table in a fresh and warm condition.

More than that, the MBG ecosystem is now integrated to empower local farmers and MSMEs around schools. In line with this, Bapanas also ensures that each region presents a menu that is tailored based on local food wealth and is closely monitored by the Regional Food Safety Competent Authority (OKKPD). Raw materials are tested to be free of pesticide residues and harmful preservatives.

In Gorontalo Regency itself, MBG kitchens have begun to actively absorb corn from local farmers' harvests and are partnering with the Fisheries Service to supply local fishermen's catch of tuna fillet as the main source of protein.

It is this cross-sector synergy that ensures the Free Nutritious Meal Program is not only to meet the nutrition of the nation's children, but also to build food independence, empower the local economy, and produce the 2045 Golden Generation that is globally competitive.