The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has not only provided essential nutrition to students, pregnant women, and toddlers but has also had a significant economic impact. With the implementation of the program in just seven months, it has created employment opportunities for 94,000 individuals through 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) nationwide.
The expansion of SPPG units has led to an increase in employment figures across different regions. Starting with 7,000 workers in January, the number grew to 68,000 in April, 72,000 by the end of June, and eventually reached 94,000 by July.
Budget absorption has also seen a parallel increase. The initial phase of the program saw an estimated disbursement of IDR 1-2 trillion, which rose to IDR 4.4 trillion by early June and reached IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025, equivalent to 7.1% of the total IDR 71 trillion allocated for the program.
Fithra Faisal, Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), highlighted the impact of the MBG program on the real economy, specifically in terms of job creation. The initiative is creating new economic opportunities for local communities and is expected to accelerate job creation in the second half of the year.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) projects that by August, the MBG Program will cater to 20 million beneficiaries through 8,000 operational SPPG units, with a total budget absorption expected to reach IDR 8 trillion. To enhance workforce inclusion, BGN plans to recruit SPPG kitchen staff from families in extreme poverty and lower-income groups, ensuring that at least 30% of staff members are from economically vulnerable households.
Fithra views this approach as a strategic measure to combat extreme poverty, strengthening the program’s operational capacity and empowering low-income communities in logistics and management.
