The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program initiated by the government continues to spark debate among the public. Initially requiring 71 trillion rupiah in funding, the program is viewed as potentially cutting budgets from other sectors.
This situation raises concerns among many, as it is suspected that costs will keep increasing, and the budget cuts will impact important sectors like education and healthcare.
Economist and Coordinator of the Poverty and Inequality Alleviation Studies (EQUITAS) at FEB UGM Dr. Wisnu Setiadi Nugroho believes the MBG program faces significant challenges, especially in food distribution and procurement.
He stated that this national-scale program is at risk of waste due to its universal nature, in which even children from well-off families receive benefits even though they do not actually need them.
“The difficulty in monitoring food quality is also a challenge. It’s hard to ensure that every meal provided truly meets the nutritional and quality standards set,” Dr. Nugroho explained on Tuesday (Mar. 11).
He suggested that the government should learn from other countries that have implemented similar programs to ensure the program’s success.
He cited the free school meal program in the United States, which is part of national policy under the Farm to Table scheme.
This program is funded by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) initiative and involves farmers, ranchers, educators, and communities across the U.S.
“The program aims to develop a more innovative distribution system, provide access to nutritious local food for school children, and help boost local economic welfare, thus reducing logistics costs and ensuring better community welfare,” he said.
Another program implemented in the U.S. is the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which provides nutritious meals to millions of children, especially those from low-income families.
NSLP sets nutritional standards based on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010, which includes using local food and adjusting menus to align with U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
“The government allocates a specific budget to support this program, involving trusted local food kitchens and suppliers to maintain nutritional quality,” he added.
Dr. Nugroho reminded us that good management is essential to ensuring the success of such programs and avoiding disadvantaging small farmers and local businesses.
He noted that if the program is too centralized, only large vendors would benefit, while small farmers and local MSMEs would be sidelined.
To be more effective, he suggested that the government prioritize regions and schools with the highest levels of food insecurity.
Given the limited budget, this program should first focus on children from underprivileged families.
He believes the MBG program could bring significant benefits as long as it is targeted correctly and focuses on vulnerable groups.
“Another solution that could be implemented is providing food subsidies for poor families, food vouchers, or incentives for schools to offer nutritious meals with more flexible funding,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Nugroho emphasized the importance of involving independent audits and community oversight to ensure budget efficiency.
Transparency and accountability in managing the program’s budget are essential.
“Decentralized approaches could be an effective strategy because local governments understand their regions’ needs better and can empower local MSMEs in food supply,” he explained.
The expert believes the government could adopt better budget prioritization to improve efficiency.
Alternative funding options include improving government spending efficiency and making cuts cautiously to avoid harming critical sectors.
If budget cuts are necessary, reductions should be made in bureaucratic spending, official travel, progressive taxes for the wealthy, and non-urgent infrastructure projects.
“We hope this program will not just be a short-term populist policy but truly have a real impact on many people,” he remarked.
Nevertheless, Dr. Nugroho views the MBG program as having the potential to improve human resource quality through better nutrition and child health. A 2023 report from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that children who receive free meals are more likely to have better food security and health.
A 2021 report from the Brookings Institution similarly indicated that free meal programs positively impacted students’ school performance.
“In the long term, this program could also positively impact workforce productivity. However, I believe more research is needed regarding the program’s effect on addressing stunting. Stunting prevention must start at an early age, before the age of five, or during the golden age of children,” he concluded.
Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani and Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photograph: Indonesia.go.id