inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) will continue to be provided based on the number of days students attend school and will cease during school holidays.

This statement was made in response to the proposed efficiency measures for the MBG Program by reducing meal distribution to five days a week, which is estimated to potentially save the state budget up to IDR 40 trillion per year.

"Specifically for school children, MBG will be distributed if they attend school. If school is five days a week, they will receive five days of MBG, while if a school is six days a week, MBG will be given for six days. Based on existing data, the majority of schools are five days a week," explained the Head of BGN on Friday (March 27, 2026).

He emphasized that in 2026, BGN will focus on improving quality, as instructed by President Prabowo Subianto, which is also one of the efforts to maintain the program's effectiveness.

"The basis for MBG distribution is fresh, ready-to-eat food delivered to beneficiaries based on a pre-registered list. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers are sent to community health posts (Posyandu) or their homes, while students are sent to their respective schools. Islamic boarding school students (Islamic boarding school) and other religious school children are sent to their boarding schools. During holidays, MBG distribution stops," explained the Head of the National Nativity Program (BGN).

Previously, Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the efficiency of the MBG Program has the potential to save the state budget up to IDR 40 trillion per year.

This efficiency is planned to be achieved by reducing the number of operating days. MBG distribution is proposed to be five days a week, up from the previous six.

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