Head Of BGN Evaluates First Day Of Free Nutrition Food

The food menu distributed to students in the implementation of the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) at SDN 1 Tamanharjo Singosari Malang, East Java, Monday (6/1/2025). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Ari Bowo Sucipto/foc.

JAKARTA - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana said that his party was evaluating the first day of the Free Nutrition Food program in terms of menu and target so that it would be even better in the future.

"An evaluation is being carried out, the target remains for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, school children from PAUD to SMA as well as students and other religious schools," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, January 6.

At the meeting with Commission IX of the DPR which was held behind closed doors today, Dadan also conveyed that the implementation of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program prioritized quality, as directed by President Prabowo Subianto.

"We prioritize quality. The President advised many times not to pursue quantity, but quality. So for those who are ready, they are executed," he said.

In line with this directive, he continued, free nutritious feeding on the target of beneficiaries will be carried out in stages. For example, on the first day of the program's implementation, the target for beneficiaries set by the National Nutrition Agency was 400 to 600 thousand children.

"Approximately between 400 and 600 thousand," he said.

He also ensured that his party would evaluate the Free Nutrition Food program every day.

"Of course we will evaluate every day, as I said our target from January to April will cover three million beneficiaries," he explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff (KSP) M Qodari said that the implementation of the MBG program throughout Indonesia was carried out in stages until it reached the target of 83 million people by 2029.

"Because this is a very large program, if you reach all of Indonesia, the total recipients of MBG are almost 83 million. Of course, it cannot be done at once, it must be gradual," said Qodari after reviewing the implementation of MBG at SDN 06 and 07 Pulogebang Cakung, East Jakarta, Monday.

From the gradual implementation of the MBG, he continued, there will be a process of improving the system, improving the mechanisms and shortcomings that are still happening, which can continue to be improved.

Today, the MBG program was launched by involving 190 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or MBG Kitchens that are ready to operate.

The kitchens are spread across 26 provinces, starting from Aceh, Bali, West Sumatra, North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Riau, Lampung, Banten, West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, East Java, DI Yogyakarta, Gorontalo.

Furthermore, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Maluku, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, to West Papua and South Papua.

Each MBG Kitchen is managed by a head of the SPPG who is appointed directly by BGN. The head of the SPPG is working with a nutritionist and an accountant to ensure strict supervision of the quality of nutrition and smooth distribution of food.