inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Vice Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, confirmed that schools that refuse the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) will not be forced to accept the food. 

She emphasized to all heads of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) not to force schools or students to accept the MBG.

"SPPG heads must not force schools. If a school refuses to accept MBG because, for example, the students are children of wealthy families, that's fine," said Nanik on Monday (1/26/2026).

She explained this when an SPPG head from a sub-district in Banyuwangi Regency complained about the difficulty in increasing the number of MBG beneficiaries in her area because several elite schools with thousands of students refused to accept MBG.

In principle, the government wants to provide MBG to all Indonesian children so that no Indonesian child goes without good nutrition, but acceptance of MBG is voluntary.

"There should be no coercion, let alone intimidation, from the SPPG or any other agency, as if schools that refuse to accept MBG are failing to support the government's program," Nanik continued

Therefore, she said, if elite schools are already able to meet the nutritional needs of their students and then decide not to accept MBG, then that's not a problem.

"There are still many who have not received MBG, even though they desperately need it," explained Nanik

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