Indonesia's Free Meal Program Spending Reaches Rp88 Trillion by May 2026

According to a report from the Ministry of Finance, the implementation of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) from the beginning of the year to May 2026 reached Rp88.15 trillion.

This budget has reached 63.13 million beneficiaries, distributed through 29,670 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) operating throughout Indonesia.

The MBG beneficiaries consist of 48.9 million students and 14.3 million non-students, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers.

As for the new Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik S. Deyang, she now aims to improve budget efficiency without reducing the coverage of beneficiaries.

"Even though our budget has now been cut from Rp335 trillion to just Rp268 trillion, we hope it can be reduced further. However, efficiency does not reduce the target of beneficiaries," said Nanik, as reported by Katadata.co.id, Thursday (4/6/2026).

She explained there are several strategies to improve budget efficiency, namely adjusting the MBG beneficiaries to focus on the 3B group (pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers).

Then there is a moratorium on the construction of new SPPG kitchens; renovation of existing SPPG kitchens; and implementation of the MBG program in 3T areas (underdeveloped, advanced, and remote).

"For the 3T areas, we will use existing kitchens or public kitchens for the MBG program. In essence, the government does not have to build new kitchens in 3T areas," said Nanik.