The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has shown to provide more than just nutritional benefits for students, pregnant women, and toddlers. It has also had a significant economic impact, creating job opportunities for 94,000 individuals in 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units nationwide. The employment numbers have steadily increased as more SPPG units have been established across different regions. The budget absorption has also seen a parallel increase, starting from IDR 1–2 trillion in the initial phase to IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025. Fithra Faisal, a Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), highlighted the program’s positive effect on the economy, particularly in terms of job creation. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) projects that the MBG Program will reach 20 million beneficiaries through 8,000 operational SPPG units by August, with an expected total 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. Fithra views this as a strategic move to help alleviate poverty and empower vulnerable communities.
MBG Program’s Economic Impact: Creating 94,000 Jobs
