Budget Efficiency, BGN Targets School Canteens for MBG Program

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is preparing a number of new schemes to expand the implementation of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) in the 3T (Left Behind, Leading, and Outer) areas. One of the steps prepared is to utilize the facilities that are already available, such as school canteens, public kitchens, and community kitchens.

Head of BGN Nanik S Deyang said that this approach was carried out to increase the efficiency of the program implementation while reducing the need for the construction of new kitchens or Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).

"So there are several alternatives, the point is to reduce the burden on the state budget. And we basically don't have to build a new kitchen, that's the principle. We can use kitchens, for example, school canteens," said Nanik in a press conference at the BGN Headquarters, Thursday, June 4.

According to Nanik, BGN also opens opportunities for cooperation with various parties to support the expansion of MBG services, including state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the private sector through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, foundations, and other institutions.

In addition to expanding the service coverage, BGN emphasized that food quality remains the main priority in the implementation of the MBG program.

"We want to ensure that every kitchen produces safe, healthy, and nutritious food. Therefore, improving operational standards, increasing human resources capacity, and strengthening supervision are our main agendas," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari said that the strengthening of program governance would be carried out through the improvement of internal control systems, data integration, information validation, and the development of a more structured system.

According to Agustina, a strong system is the key to implementing the MBG program in a transparent, accountable, and sustainable manner. This is initiated by improving governance based on input from a number of supervisory institutions.

"We will strengthen data integration and information systems so that each policy can be supported by valid data. In addition, various recommendations from supervisory agencies will be part of the efforts to improve the governance we are carrying out," he said.

In an effort to increase the effectiveness of the program, BGN also strengthens interventions to the 3B group, namely pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. These groups are considered to be strategic targets in preventing stunting and improving the quality of human resources from an early age.

Through these various adjustments, BGN hopes that the Free Nutritious Meal Program can reach more beneficiaries, especially in the 3T area, while maintaining the quality of services and the efficiency of state budgets.