Implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program: A health policy perspective from Jakarta
Keywords:
Free nutrition meals, Health policy, Nutrition, StudentsAbstract
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program is a flagship initiative of the Indonesian Government aimed at addressing malnutrition and strengthening human capital development. The program seeks to improve access to nutritious food, reduce stunting, and support the development of a healthy and competitive generation toward Indonesia’s Golden Age 2045. This qualitative descriptive study was conducted at SMP X Jakarta. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with field implementers directly involved in program execution. The analysis focused on examining implementation processes through a health policy perspective. The findings indicate that the program aligns with core health policy principles, particularly in promoting health through school-based interventions. Field implementers reported that the program contributes to meeting students’ nutritional needs and is associated with improved concentration and school attendance. The program has received strong support from students and parents, who perceived it as relevant to household economic conditions and children’s health needs. However, several challenges were identified, including diverse student consumption behaviors, a large target population, limited facilities, and suboptimal food preparation processes. Additionally, the absence of detailed operational guidelines, limited technical training, and unclear division of authority required schools to independently adjust the implementation mechanism. While the MBG program demonstrates substantial benefits in supporting student nutrition and educational engagement, strengthening governance structures, technical guidance, and operational coordination is essential to optimize program sustainability and scalability.
References
Lendra IW, Husni D, Fitriani Y. Kebijakan Makan Bergizi Gratis dan Relevansinya terhadap Nilai-nilai Good Governance: Analisis Kualitatif dalam Administrasi Publik. Arus Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora [Internet]. Arden Jaya Publisher; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];5:937–45. https://doi.org/10.57250/AJSH.V5I1.1252
Wang D, Shinde S, Young T, Fawzi WW. Impacts of school feeding on educational and health outcomes of school-age children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health [Internet]. J Glob Health; 2021 [cited 2026 Jan 3];11:1–27. https://doi.org/10.7189/JOGH.11.04051
Fikriyana Nabila Subagio R, Suriany Simamora R, Indrawati Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu kesehatan Medistra Indonesia L. Hubungan Status Gizi dengan Prestasi Belajar Anak Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Peduli Masyarakat [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Jan 3];6:1955–64. https://doi.org/10.37287/JPM.V6I4.4968
Survei Status Gizi Indonesia (SSGI) 2024 Dalam Angka - Repositori Badan Kebijakan Pembangunan Kesehatan [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jan 3]. https://repository.badankebijakan.kemkes.go.id/id/eprint/5861/. Accessed 3 Jan 2026
Jati AK, Azhar A, Iriani A. Formulasi Kebijakan Pemerintah Tentang Program Makan Bergizi Gratis di Indonesia. Ranah Research : Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development [Internet]. Yayasan Dharma Indonesia Tercinta (Dinasti); 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];8:700–12. https://doi.org/10.38035/RRJ.V8I1.1906
Abdillah W, Bakhtiar Y. Implementasi Kebijakan Makan Bergizi Gratis (Studi Pada Sma Negeri 2 Painan Kecamatan Iv Jurai Kabupaten Pesisir Selatan). Edu Research [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];6:424–31. https://doi.org/10.47827/JER.V6I2.820
Kiftiyah A, Ayu Palestina F, Ulul Abshar F, Rofiah K, Bergizi Gratis M. Program Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) dalam Perspektif Keadilan Sosial dan Dinamika Sosial – Politik. Pancasila: Jurnal Keindonesiaan [Internet]. Badan Pembinaan Ideologi Pancasila; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];5:101–12. https://doi.org/10.52738/PJK.V5I1.726
Yelvianti T. Efektivitas Program Makan Gizi Gratis (MBG) Presiden Prabowo terhadap Kualitas Gizi dan Pendidikan para Siswa di Indonesia. Jurnal Sehat Mandiri [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];20:288–98. https://doi.org/10.33761/JSM.V20I2.2030
Cohen JFW, Hecht AA, McLoughlin GM, Turner L, Schwartz MB. Universal School Meals and Associations with Student Participation, Attendance, Academic Performance, Diet Quality, Food Security, and Body Mass Index: A Systematic Review. Nutrients [Internet]. Nutrients; 2021 [cited 2026 Mar 4];13:1–41. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030911
Parnham JC, Chang K, Millett C, Laverty AA, von Hinke S, Pearson-Stuttard J, et al. The Impact of the Universal Infant Free School Meal Policy on Dietary Quality in English and Scottish Primary School Children: Evaluation of a Natural Experiment. Nutrients [Internet]. Nutrients; 2022 [cited 2026 Mar 4];14. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081602
Zuercher MD, Cohen JFW, Hecht CE, Hecht K, Ritchie LD, Gosliner W. Providing School Meals to All Students Free of Charge during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Challenges and Benefits Reported by School Foodservice Professionals in California. Nutrients [Internet]. Nutrients; 2022 [cited 2026 Mar 4];14. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14183855
Desiani N, Syafiq A. Efektivitas Program Makan Gratis pada Status Gizi Siswa Sekolah Dasar: Tinjauan Sistematis. Malahayati Nursing Journal. 2025;7:27–48. https://doi.org/10.33024/mnj.v7i1.17497
Agustina D, Syafiq A. DAMPAK PROGRAM PEMBERIAN MAKANAN DI SEKOLAH TERHADAP ASUPAN GIZI PADA ANAK USIA SEKOLAH: TINJAUAN LITERATUR SISTEMATIS. JKM (Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat) Cendekia Utama [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];13:311–25. https://doi.org/10.31596/JKM.V13I3.2938
Eyes IN, nadia ZE. Evaluasi Program Makan Siang Gratis di Sekolah: Dampak terhadap Gizi, Kesehatan, dan Motivasi Belajar Siswa. jurnal ilmu pendidikan [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Feb 2];1:232–45. https://doi.org/10.65094/YCTB3A45
Karomah U, Cahya Wahyuni F, Dewi Trisnasari Y, Cipta H. Program Penyelenggaraan Makan Siang Sekolah: Studi Literatur tentang Dampak Kesehatan, Hambatan dan Tantangan. Salus Cultura: Jurnal Pembangunan Manusia dan Kebudayaan [Internet]. Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Pembangunan Manusia dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 2];4:91–103. https://doi.org/10.55480/SALUSCULTURA.V4I1.188
Muhammad Furkan I, Amalia Sari R, Eliza MF, Nofrizal D, Junva F, Gistituati N. Mewujudkan Makan Bergizi Gratis: Perspektif Guru SD Dalam Implementasi Kebijakan. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan. 2025;10. https://doi.org/10.34125/jmp.v10i3.678
Tubi MI, Oyewole OE. Assessment of School Food Policy Influencing Nutritional Behaviour of Adolescents from the Perspective of School Stakeholders in Ibadan, Oyo State. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2025, Vol 22, Page 866 [Internet]. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];22:866. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH22060866
Nguyen B, Cranney L, Bellew B, Thomas M. Implementing food environment policies at scale: What helps? what hinders? a systematic review of barriers and enablers. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. MDPI; 2021 [cited 2026 Jan 3];18:10346. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH181910346/S1
Ratih R, Koeswara H, Kasmira A, Zein SS. DISKRESI AKTOR STREET LEVEL BUREAUCRAT PADA IMPLEMENTASI PENDIDIKAN INKLUSIF TK-SMP DI KOTA PADANG. Responsive: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Penelitian Administrasi, Sosial, Humaniora Dan Kebijakan Publik [Internet]. Online; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];8:601–14. https://doi.org/10.24198/RESPONSIVE.V8I4.67571
Cohen JFW, Hecht AA, McLoughlin GM, Turner L, Schwartz MB. Universal School Meals and Associations with Student Participation, Attendance, Academic Performance, Diet Quality, Food Security, and Body Mass Index: A Systematic Review. Nutrients [Internet]. Nutrients; 2021 [cited 2026 Feb 2];13:1–41. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU13030911
Kristjansson E, Osman M, Dignam M, Labelle PR, Magwood O, Huerta Galicia A, et al. School feeding programs for improving the physical and psychological health of school children experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. John Wiley and Sons Ltd; 2022 [cited 2026 Feb 2];2022:CD014794. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD014794
Randby JS, Ogden T, Lien N. Implementation and effectiveness of a school-based intervention to increase adherence to national school meal guidelines: a non-randomised controlled trial. Public Health Nutr [Internet]. Cambridge University Press; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 2];27:e25. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023002938
Febriyanti A, Wulansari R, Purnama TZ, Khoirunisa F. Kolaborasi Pemerintah-Masyarakat Dalam Pelayanan Publik Lokal: Analisis Program Mbg Dapur Kedungsari, Magelang Utara. Journal of Governance and Public Administration (JoGaPA). 2025;3. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.70248/jogapa.v3i1.3289
Restiana AA. Hubungan Peraturan Program Makan Bergizi Gratis Dengan Peran Nutrisionis. Journal Kompilasi Hukum [Internet]. 2025;10:588–97. https://doi.org/10.29303/jkh.v10i2.304
Qomarullah R, Suratni S, S LW, Sawir M. Dampak Jangka Panjang Program Makan Bergizi Gratis Terhadap Kesehatan Dan Keberlanjutan Pendidikan. Indonesian Journal od Intellectual Publication. 2025;5. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51577/ijipublication.v5i2.660
Malik D, Rabbani KS. Implementasi Kebijakan Program Makan Bergizi Gratis Dalam Upaya Menurunkan Angka Stunting di Depok (Studi Kasus pada SD Negeri 02 Gandul, Depok): Policy Implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program in Reducing Stunting Rates in Depok (A Case Study …. Transparansi : Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Administrasi [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 Mar 5];8:489–95. https://doi.org/10.31334/transparansi.v8i2.5500
BP SM, Darmawan RA, Muhadz ML, Soerjatisnanta H, Prayoga S. Strategi Pencegahan Risiko Potensial Pada Program Makanan Bergizi Gratis: Peran Dasar Hukum Formal Dan Supervisi Kualitas Pangan Yang Komprehensif Dan Berkelanjutan. Jurnal Pendidikan Sejarah dan Riset Sosial Humaniora [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Mar 5];5:433–42. https://ejournal.penerbitjurnal.com/index.php/humaniora/article/view/1341. Accessed 5 Mar 2026
Amril A, Sazali H. Formulasi Regulasi dan Kebijakan Komunikasi dalam Pelaksanaan Program Pembangunan: Studi pada Program Makan Bergizi Gratis. Jurnal Indonesia : Manajemen Informatika dan Komunikasi [Internet]. Sekolah Tinggi Manajemen Informatika dan Komputer Indonesia Banda Aceh; 2025 [cited 2026 Mar 5];6:1670–9. https://doi.org/10.63447/jimik.v6i3.1566
Rahmah HA, Anggraini A, Nilasari YP, Salsabilla EP. ANALISIS EFEKTIVITAS PROGRAM MAKAN BERGIZI GRATIS DI SEKOLAH DASAR INDONESIA TAHUN 2025. Integrative Perspectives of Social and Science Journal [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Mar 5];2:2855–66. https://ipssj.com/index.php/ojs/article/view/380. Accessed 5 Mar 2026
Wankasi HI, Sehularo LA, Rakhudu MA. Dissemination and implementation of a policy on school health in public schools: A systematic review. Curationis [Internet]. Curationis; 2020 [cited 2026 Jan 3];43. https://doi.org/10.4102/CURATIONIS.V43I1.2110
Dyah Rahmayanti, Roy V. Salomo. Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Implementasi Kebijakan Pengendalian Tuberkulosis Di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Kelas I Cipinang. Jurnal PubBis. 2020;4:125–35. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35722/pubbis.v4i2.275
Whitsel LP, Honeycutt S, Radcliffe R, Johnson J, Chase PJ, Noyes P. Policy implementation and outcome evaluation: establishing a framework and expanding capacity for advocacy organizations to assess the impact of their work in public policy. Health Research Policy and Systems 2024 22:1 [Internet]. BioMed Central; 2024 [cited 2026 Jan 3];22:27-. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12961-024-01110-0
Agustini U, Mulyani S. Efektivitas dan Tantangan Kebijakan Program Makan Bergizi Gratis sebagai Intervensi Pendidikan di Indonesia. Jurnal Kiprah Pendidikan [Internet]. Program Studi PGSD FKIP Universitas Riau; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];4:362–8. https://doi.org/10.33578/KPD.V4I3.P362-368
Zuercher MD, Orta-Aleman D, Cohen JFW, Hecht CA, Hecht K, Polacsek M, et al. The Benefits and Challenges of Providing School Meals during the First Year of California’s Universal School Meal Policy as Reported by School Foodservice Professionals. Nutrients 2024, Vol 16, [Internet]. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 2];16. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU16121812
Parnham JC, Chang K, Millett C, Laverty AA, von Hinke S, Pearson-Stuttard J, et al. The Impact of the Universal Infant Free School Meal Policy on Dietary Quality in English and Scottish Primary School Children: Evaluation of a Natural Experiment. Nutrients [Internet]. Nutrients; 2022 [cited 2026 Feb 2];14. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU14081602
Pramesthi IL, Wiradnyani LAA, Anggraini R, Februhartanty J, Widaryat W, Waluyo BH, et al. Evaluating the Impact of Indonesia’s National School Feeding Program (ProGAS) on Children’s Nutrition and Learning Environment: A Mixed-Methods Approach. Nutrients 2025, Vol 17, Page 3575 [Internet]. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];17:3575. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU17223575
Center for Indonesia’s Strategic. Policy Paper Series: Mengkaji Ulang Program Makan Bergizi Gratis Makan Bergizi Gratis: Menilik Tujuan, Anggaran dan Tata Kelola Program. 2024.
Risda, Hamidah, Ramadhanianti N, Qolbi M, Suriansyah A, Maimunah. Persepsi Guru dan Siswa terhadap Pelaksanaan Program Makan Bergizi Gratis dalam Meningkatkan Kehadiran siswa di SDN inti Sungai Miai 11. Pendas : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 3];10:445–55. https://doi.org/10.23969/JP.V10I04.36250
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Djimmy Heru Purnomo Babo, Khayla Raslina Sidi, Hulwah Imtiyaz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with JCP: Jurnal Cakrawala Promkes agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
