BGN calls on stakeholders to align efforts in free meal program

hartono · May 8, 2026

Illustration - Elementary school students in Sidoarjo District, East Java, enjoy Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), on Monday (January 6, 2025). ANTARA/Umarul Faruq

Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Deputy for Nutritional Fulfillment Operations at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, expressed hope that all parties would align their efforts in implementing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program across all regions.

“This consolidation meeting on the MBG program aims to build a common understanding and align the steps of all related parties,” Sonjaya stated here on Friday.

He said that the related parties include BGN partners, facility owners or foundations, heads of nutritional fulfillment service units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens, and MBG task forces at the district and city levels, so that these three parties can truly work hand in hand in implementing the free meal program.

Going forward, he stated that BGN would continue taking corrective measures.

“In implementation, if violations occur, for example, if facilities and infrastructure do not meet specifications, whether minor or major, we will suspend them. We will provide an opportunity for improvements to be made,” he remarked.

He expressed hope that no further major incidents would occur, referring to an incident in North Sulawesi in January.

“Hopefully, there will be no more such incidents. These major incidents are caused by failure to implement standard operating procedures (SOP) in the MBG production process,” he stated.

He noted that partial consolidation meetings had been held several times before, but this was the first large-scale meeting involving all stakeholders.

“We hope the MBG program will continue to receive support. This program is not profit-oriented. Its orientation is to improve nutritional intake for all, as well as boosting the economy across various sectors,” he stated.

Sonjaya also emphasized that his party would monitor SPPG heads who do not operate through the existing system.

The consolidation meeting on the MBG program implementation in North Sulawesi was also attended by officials from the central and regional BGN offices, as well as other officials.