Indonesia Halts Nutritious Meals for Mothers, Toddlers During School Holidays

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has decided to halt its free nutritious meal (MBG) program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers during school holidays. This move, detailed in a new circular, signals a shift in the program's operational strategy.

The BGN states the suspension is intended to optimize operational management and improve resource efficiency. The program, which previously provided meals for both students and non-students in the '3B' category (pregnant, breastfeeding, and toddlers), will no longer distribute these meals during any designated school breaks, national holidays, religious observances, or even weekends.

Agustina Arumsari, Deputy Head and spokesperson for BGN, explained that the circular aims to standardize operations and conserve resources. She acknowledged that this policy might not be popular with all stakeholders, particularly existing program partners. The principle, she stated, is 'no service, no pay' for days when the program is not operating.

The suspension comes as schools are scheduled for a break from June 22 to July 13, 2026. The agency emphasized that previous arrangements for distributing MBG during holidays, such as bundled packages, will no longer be valid. This revised approach reflects a move towards greater efficiency in resource allocation for the program.