The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has been successful in providing not only nutritional benefits but also creating a significant economic impact. With the implementation of the program for seven months, it has created direct employment for 94,000 individuals spread out in 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) nationwide.
As the number of SPPG units expanded across different regions, the employment figures also increased. Starting with 7,000 workers in January, the numbers rose to 68,000 in April, then to 72,000 by the end of June, and further jumped to 94,000 by the end of July.
Budget absorption has also seen a steady rise. Initially disbursing IDR 1–2 trillion from January to April, the allocation grew to IDR 4.4 trillion by early June, and by the end of the first semester of 2025, it reached IDR 5.1 trillion—equivalent to 7.1% of the total IDR 71 trillion allocated for the program.
Fithra Faisal, a Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), highlighted the impact of the MBG program on the real economy, particularly in terms of job creation. He mentioned that the initiative is creating new economic opportunities for local communities and is projected to accelerate job creation in the second half of the year.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) foresees the MBG Program reaching 20 million beneficiaries through 8,000 operational SPPG units by August, with an expected total budget absorption of IDR 8 trillion. Additionally, BGN plans to recruit SPPG kitchen staff from families in extreme poverty and lower-income groups to further promote workforce inclusion.
Fithra emphasized that this strategic initiative not only enhances the program’s operational capacity but also empowers low-income communities, contributing to the reduction of extreme poverty.
