Businesses in Indonesia are being encouraged by the government to support the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program of President Prabowo Subianto.

The initiative, which continues to expand nationwide, is seen as an effort to tackle childhood malnutrition.

Businesses Encouraged to Support MBG

According to a report by ANTARA News, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is encouraging businesses to provide the raw materials needed for the MBG pogram.

BGN Deputy for Systems and Governance Tigor Pangaribuan has noted that one of the main challenges of the program is ensure that large quantities of food are available without triggering inflation.

The rapid expansion of the program will result to an even bigger demand for raw materials in order to cater to the needs of those being served.

In fact, the government is targeting the establishment of 32,000 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) by April. They are otherwise known as the MBG kitchens or the public kitchens that will prepare the meals that will be rolled out.

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Government Allocates Rp 335 Trillion for Program

To help the growth and expansion of the MBG program, the government has allotted Rp 335 trillion (approximately $19.9 billion) for its budget this year. Additional funding may be added depending on the needs of the program.

The budget will distributed quartertly, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.

According to a report by Jakarta Globe, the program aims to feed 82 million individuals this year. The program focuses on providing meals for schoolchildren and infants, as well as pregnant women.

Despite the huge goals of the program, many are wary that the expansion of the program may come at the expense of oversight and food safety, according to South China Morning Post.

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