The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has been making a positive impact beyond just providing nutrition to students, pregnant women, and toddlers—it is also contributing significantly to the economy. In just seven months, the program has created job opportunities for 94,000 individuals through 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) nationwide.
As the number of SPPG units expands across different regions, the employment figures have also been on the rise. Starting with 7,000 workers in January, the number increased to 68,000 in April, then to 72,000 by June, and finally reaching 94,000 by July.
Budget allocation has also seen a corresponding increase. The initial disbursement of IDR 1–2 trillion from January to April grew to IDR 4.4 trillion by early June, and eventually reached IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025—equivalent to 7.1% of the total IDR 71 trillion allocation for the program.
Fithra Faisal, a Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), emphasized the positive impact of the MBG Program on the economy, specifically in terms of job creation.
“This initiative is creating new economic prospects for local communities,” expressed Fithra in Jakarta, on Thursday (July 31).
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) foresees that by August, the MBG Program will benefit 20 million individuals through 8,000 operational SPPG units, leading to an estimated budget absorption of IDR 8 trillion.
To promote inclusivity in the workforce, BGN plans to hire kitchen staff from families in extreme poverty and lower-income brackets (decile 1 and 2). A minimum of 30% of the 47 staff members per SPPG will be recruited from these financially vulnerable households.
Fithra views this strategy as a way to combat extreme poverty.
“This approach enhances the program’s operational efficiency, especially in logistics and management, while also empowering marginalized communities,” Fithra concluded.
