Casal dels Infants – Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) is a government initiative aimed at improving the nutritional status of the Indonesian population, particularly for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The program, which launched on January 6, 2025, across 26 provinces, aims to improve public health and stimulate the local economy through various strategic components. With a substantial budget of Rp 71 trillion (US$ 4.2 billion), the MBG program seeks to foster community economic growth by involving local businesses, such as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and cooperatives.
The MBG program, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, is based on four main objectives: preparing superior human resources, reducing stunting rates, alleviating poverty, and encouraging community economic growth. This initiative aims to create a foundation for achieving the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045, where the country can be self-reliant in various sectors, particularly food and nutrition.
The beneficiaries of the MBG program are diverse, ranging from toddlers and schoolchildren to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The program targets to ensure that these groups receive balanced nutrition, contributing to healthier generations that can contribute to the nation’s productivity in the long run.
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The MBG program is expected to generate significant economic benefits for local communities by engaging residents to provide raw materials for public kitchens that will prepare the meals. By January 2025, at least 937 public kitchens will be operating across 26 provinces. These kitchens will source ingredients like fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, rice, milk, and eggs from local merchants, creating a demand for these local goods.
Additionally, local workers will be employed in the public kitchens, and these kitchens can utilize existing MSME kitchens or community-owned shared kitchens. This not only saves on costs but also enhances the diversity of the meals offered. The program’s local procurement and employment initiatives help stimulate the regional economy by circulating money and increasing local production demand.
One of the significant benefits of the MBG program is the potential to generate a multiplier effect in the local economy. As demand for food orders increases, local businesses are likely to hire additional staff, including cooks, food delivery couriers, and packaging assistants. Researcher Eliza Mardian from the Center of Reform on Economic (CORE) Indonesia emphasized that the MBG program enhances the welfare of local producers, such as farmers and fishermen, and leads to increased job absorption within communities.
In addition to the direct employment opportunities in the kitchens, housewives and other local residents may also find work assisting in the kitchens or helping to distribute meals to schools. The presence of consistent orders from the MBG program will require MSMEs to streamline their operations, further boosting the economic activity in the region.
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Cooperatives play a crucial role in the MBG program by connecting local farmers, fishermen, and livestock producers with suppliers of raw materials. According to Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi, cooperatives help standardize kitchen operations to ensure compliance with regulations. Currently, 1,336 cooperatives participate in the MBG program, and the number is expect to grow as more local producers join the initiative.
Cooperatives also serve as a bridge for non-cooperative farmers and fishermen to sell their produce, ensuring that more local stakeholders benefit from the program. This collaborative effort is essential for the success of the program, as it fosters economic growth and empowers communities to be more self-reliant.
Given the substantial budget allocated for the MBG program, it is essential to maintain transparency and ensure fair competition during the tendering process. The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) will oversee the tenders to prevent monopolistic practices and ensure that healthy competition continues. This will guarantee that the program benefits local communities and avoids exploitation by large, centralized entities.
In addition, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) stated that they will conduct a structured evaluation to assess the program’s impact. The evaluation will gather feedback from beneficiaries who participated in the program’s trial phase, ensuring that the program can make any necessary improvements before full implementation.
Through the MBG program, the government is taking a significant step toward not only improving public health by ensuring access to nutritious meals but also revitalizing the local economy. By engaging local communities in the production, preparation, and distribution of food, the program fosters economic growth while simultaneously addressing nutritional needs. The MBG program is expect to create a long-term impact by supporting a sustainable and prosperous future for Indonesia, fostering healthier citizens, and building a more resilient local economy.
