The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has shown to have positive impacts beyond just providing nutrition to students, pregnant women, and toddlers. It has also contributed significantly to the economy by creating job opportunities. Over the span of seven months, the program has directly employed 94,000 individuals in 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) nationwide.
The employment numbers have steadily increased as more SPPG units were established in different regions. Starting with 7,000 workers in January, the count rose to 68,000 in April, then further to 72,000 by the end of June, and ultimately reaching 94,000 by the end of July. The budget absorption has also grown accordingly, from IDR 1–2 trillion disbursed in the initial phase (January–April) to IDR 4.4 trillion by early June, and finally hitting IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025.
Fithra Faisal, the Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), highlighted the significant impact of the MBG program on the economy, particularly in terms of job creation. He mentioned that the initiative has created new economic opportunities for local communities, with expectations of more job opportunities arising in the latter half of the year.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) projects that by August, the MBG Program will have reached 20 million beneficiaries through 8,000 operational SPPG units, leading to an estimated budget absorption of IDR 8 trillion. To enhance workforce inclusion, BGN plans to recruit kitchen staff from families in extreme poverty and lower-income groups, with at least 30% of staff members being from these economically vulnerable households.
Fithra emphasized that this strategy will not only strengthen the program’s operational capabilities in logistics and management but also empower low-income communities, ultimately contributing to the reduction of extreme poverty.
