Free Nutritious Meal Program Boosts National Economic Growth

JAKARTA – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reports that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is delivering a measurable impact on Indonesia’s economy. The initiative has been operating through 5 December 2025 with the participation of more than 16,500 nutrition service units (SPPG).

BGN head Dadan Hindayana states that the 16,503 SPPG have absorbed roughly 1.5 million workers, including over 700,000 volunteers. Each SPPG contracts at least 15 local suppliers, each employing up to 15 staff, thereby expanding job opportunities in the supply chain. Additionally, a stipend of Rp2 million for SPPG personnel boosts household purchasing power and consumption.

The program’s budget, funded from the state budget (APBN), reached Rp41.3 trillion by 18 November 2025, representing 58.2 % of the 2025 fiscal allocation. With 41.9 million beneficiaries to date, the long‑term goal is to serve 82.9 million people once all SPPG are operational, which is expected to reinforce national economic growth.