The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has brought about more than just nutritional benefits for students, pregnant women, and toddlers—it has also made a significant economic impact. With 2,391 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) established nationwide, the program has created jobs for 94,000 individuals within seven months of its implementation. The number of workers has steadily increased as more SPPG units have been set up in different regions, starting from 7,000 in January to 94,000 by the end of July. Budget absorption has also seen a rise, from IDR 1–2 trillion in the initial phase to IDR 5.1 trillion by the end of the first semester of 2025, contributing to 7.1% of the allocated IDR 71 trillion for the program. Fithra Faisal, Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), emphasized that the MBG program has had a positive effect on the economy, particularly in terms of job creation, opening up new economic opportunities for local communities. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) projects that by August, the program will benefit 20 million individuals through 8,000 operational SPPG units, with an estimated budget absorption of IDR 8 trillion. In an effort to promote workforce inclusion, BGN plans to hire kitchen staff from low-income families, with at least 30% of employees coming from economically vulnerable households. This approach is seen as a strategic way to not only strengthen the program’s operational capacity in logistics and management but also empower low-income communities and help alleviate extreme poverty.
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