The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has not only provided essential nutrition for students, pregnant women, and toddlers, but it also has a significant economic impact. In just seven months, the program has created job opportunities for 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.
Budget absorption has also seen a rise, starting from IDR 1-2 trillion in the initial phase to IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025. Senior Advisor Fithra Faisal from the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) highlights the positive impact of the MBG program on job creation, providing new economic opportunities for local communities.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) aims to expand the program to reach 20 million beneficiaries by August through 8,000 operational SPPG units, with an expected budget absorption of IDR 8 trillion. To promote workforce inclusion, BGN plans to recruit kitchen staff from families in extreme poverty and lower-income groups, ensuring that at least 30% of SPPG employees come from economically vulnerable households.
Fithra believes that this recruitment strategy will not only enhance program operations but also help alleviate extreme poverty by empowering disadvantaged communities. This strategic approach is expected to accelerate job creation and further support economic growth in the second half of the year.
