Through Their Eyes: A Portrait of the Implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Program in Schools

Optimal nutrition from an early age is one of the essential foundations for developing quality human resources. Nutritional problems during early life have a significant impact on the quality of life in the future (Prado and Dewey, 2014; Galler et al., 2021). Children require a balanced nutritional intake for strong immunity, better cognitive development, and to support optimal learning readiness (Stevens et al., 2022; Sánchez et al., 2024). Conversely, malnutrition may lead to decreased concentration, leading to lower participation in learning and posing long-term risks towards productivity (Shagti et al., 2025).

The government has emphasized the improvement of human resources quality as a strategic priority, in line with Article 28C and Article 34 of the 1945 Constitution, which affirm the right of every citizen to welfare and the fulfillment of basic needs. Furthermore, Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health and Law No. 18 of 2012 concerning Food provide the legal basis for the state to guarantee the availability of and public access to sufficient, safe, high-quality, and nutritious food.

The Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) is part of the priority agenda of the administration of President and Vice President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, which prioritizes improving the quality of human resources as a primary focus of national development. The MBG is a policy intervention aimed at strengthening the nutritional quality of children, particularly in schools. This program is designed as a strategy to support improvements in the quality of education and sustainable human resource development.