The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) plans to hire workers for the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) from individuals in extreme and general poverty as part of an initiative to boost local employment opportunities. Redy Hendra Gunawan, Special Staff to the National Nutrition Agency, mentioned that at least 30% of the personnel in each SPPG will be selected from underprivileged households. This decision is in line with the President’s directive to ensure that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program contributes to job creation. The aim is to provide employment opportunities, especially for families in the lowest economic deciles.
Currently, there are 2,378 SPPG units established in collaboration with 6,076 local economic institutions serving as suppliers, such as cooperatives, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes/BUMDesma), and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The program has engaged 93,572 local community members as volunteers. Across the country, the MBG Program has benefited 7,444,238 individuals.
The breakdown of beneficiaries includes Early Childhood Education, Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High/Vocational School, Islamic boarding school students, Community-based learning centers, Seminaries, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and People’s School students. To expedite the program, BGN will introduce 2,401 additional SPPG units in the next 10 days, bringing the total to 4,788 operational units. This expansion is expected to serve approximately 15 million beneficiaries nationwide in the near future.
