Prabowo Ensures Free Nutritious Meal Program Continues, Orders Sterilization Equipment and Trained Cooks in Every Kitchen
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BOGOR, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed that Indonesia’s flagship free nutritious meal program will continue despite shortcomings, including recent food poisoning incidents. The initiative, launched in January 2025, has already reached nearly 30 million schoolchildren and pregnant women, with more than one billion meals served nationwide.
Speaking at a mass signing of 26,000 subsidized mortgage agreements under the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP) in Cileungsi, Bogor, on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, Prabowo said the program remains central to his administration’s efforts to improve public health and boost the economy.
“Our children must have enough to eat, so free nutritious meals will continue. Alhamdulillah, today we have reached almost 30 million beneficiaries,” Prabowo said.
The president acknowledged that the program has faced challenges, notably food poisoning cases in several regions. He pledged corrective action, stressing that every nutrition service kitchen (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi, or SPPG) must be equipped with sterilization systems and staffed by trained cooks to ensure food safety.
“We are working hard now. Every kitchen must be equipped with strong sterilizing equipment, either ultraviolet, gas, or boiling water. Water filters must be installed, test kits must be used before meals are distributed, and every kitchen must have trained cooks,” Prabowo declared.
Prabowo noted that statistically, the number of food poisoning incidents remained very small, only 0.000017 percent of meals served. He emphasized that while the figure is minimal compared with the scale of the program, the government is committed to raising safety standards across all kitchens.
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The president said the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) would strictly enforce operational standards and hygiene procedures in all meal service units. “All kitchens must provide meals that are clean and hygienic,” he instructed.
Beyond addressing health risks, Prabowo highlighted the program’s growing economic impact. He argued that MBG has already created ripple effects across rural economies by securing a stable market for small farmers and food producers. Eggs, vegetables, fish, and poultry sourced daily from villages and districts supply the kitchens, strengthening local economies.
“We have succeeded in reviving the people’s economy. Every day we need eggs, vegetables, fish, and chicken. These supplies come directly from our villages and subdistricts,” Prabowo said.
He projected that the program could generate 1.5 million new jobs by early 2026, citing its vast demand for agricultural produce, logistics, and food preparation. Next year, he added, the program will be backed by a budget of Rp 335 trillion, with an expected economic turnover between Rp 600 trillion and Rp 900 trillion.
“This program creates hope for rural communities. Each day, they know the kitchens need hundreds of kilograms of rice, vegetables, fish, and eggs. That is a guaranteed market and a guaranteed livelihood,” Prabowo explained.
Prabowo also underscored that Indonesia’s achievement stands out globally. While Brazil took 11 years to expand its school meal program to 40 million people, Indonesia has reached 30 million beneficiaries in just 11 months. Still, he acknowledged that much work remains, as the ultimate target is 82 million recipients, leaving 52 million children and pregnant women yet to be covered.
“We are not satisfied. There are shortcomings, there are food poisoning cases, but the benefits are enormous. We must continue improving,” Prabowo said.