DistantNews
Support us
Indonesian School's Nutrition Program Eases Parental Worries, Builds Responsibility
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian School's Nutrition Program Eases Parental Worries, Builds Responsibility

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A free nutritious meal program at SDN Gentan school in Sleman, Indonesia, provides essential nutrition for students and peace of mind for parents.
  • The program, which includes balanced meals and fruit, helps children grow and develop, with parents from lower-income families expressing gratitude for the support.
  • Beyond nutrition, the program fosters responsibility as students take turns serving food, contributing to their character development.

For many parents at SDN Gentan school in Seyegan, Sleman, Indonesia, the start of the day often means a rushed breakfast or none at all. This reality makes the arrival of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program a significant relief. It's not just about an extra meal; it's about the peace of mind that children are receiving the nourishment they need to focus on their studies.

The children usually only have one or two bites at home and are lazy to eat breakfast. Turns out, thank God, this MBG program is very helpful for fulfilling nutrition and so on.

— Is HartatiA parent at SDN Gentan school describes the impact of the nutritious meal program on her child's eating habits.

Is Hartati, a mother of a fifth-grader, found the MBG program to be a solution to her daily struggles. She observes that the menus are consistently balanced and hygienic, a welcome change from her son's often reluctant breakfast habits at home. "The children usually only have one or two bites at home and are lazy to eat breakfast. Turns out, thank God, this MBG program is very helpful for fulfilling nutrition and so on," Hartati said. She particularly appreciates the inclusion of fruit, a vital supplement that her family might not always afford.

From health, thank God, it's getting better because the MBG program includes fruit. We, parents from the middle to lower economic class, are very grateful.

— Is HartatiA parent expresses gratitude for the health benefits and financial relief provided by the school's meal program.

Hartati believes the program aids her son's growth and development. "From health, thank God, it's getting better because the MBG program includes fruit. We, parents from the middle to lower economic class, are very grateful," she shared. The program also instills a sense of responsibility, as students learn to take turns serving food according to a schedule, fostering accountability from a young age.

Thank God, my child's pocket money is also left over.

— Rosi DoniyatiA parent shares how the school meal program has led to her child saving pocket money.

Rosi Doniyati, another parent, has noticed positive changes in her third-grader since the program began. Her child eats more fruit and returns home from school full, even saving some pocket money. "Thank God, my child's pocket money is also left over," she said. Rosi also noted that her child has not experienced any health issues related to food since the MBG program started on August 18, 2025. While grateful, both parents hope for further improvements, such as larger rice portions and more varied menus.

Thank God, my child has been safe since the MBG program.

— Rosi DoniyatiA parent confirms her child's good health since the implementation of the school's nutritious meal program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog