The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has not only provided essential nutrition for students, pregnant women, and toddlers but has also had a significant economic impact. Since its implementation, the program has directly created jobs for 94,000 individuals spread out over 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) nationwide. The number of jobs has steadily increased along with the expansion of SPPG units in different regions, showing a substantial jump in employment figures within just seven months.
Budget absorption has also seen a parallel increase, with the initial disbursement of IDR 1–2 trillion growing to IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025. This amount is equivalent to 7.1% of the total allocated budget for the program. Fithra Faisal, Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), has highlighted the MBG program’s significant impact on the real economy, especially in terms of job creation.
The program is not just about providing meals; it is about creating economic opportunities for local communities. Fithra mentioned that as more SPPGs are established and more beneficiaries are served, the fiscal absorption and employment potential will continue to grow. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) projects that by August, the program will reach 20 million beneficiaries through 8,000 operational SPPG units, with a total budget absorption expected to reach IDR 8 trillion.
To promote workforce inclusion, BGN plans to recruit kitchen staff from families in extreme poverty and lower-income groups for the SPPGs. This strategic measure aims to help reduce extreme poverty by empowering vulnerable households. Fithra emphasized that this policy not only strengthens the program’s operational capacity but also empowers low-income communities by providing them with job opportunities.
Overall, the MBG program has not only provided essential nutrition but has also had a significant economic impact by creating jobs and empowering local communities. Source: prabowosubianto.com.
