BGN mandates supplier diversification for free meals program

 Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has emphasized the importance of diversifying suppliers of ingredients for food under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to stimulate broad economic impacts and promote menu variations.

BGN Deputy Head for Communication and Investigation Nanik S. Deyang said MBG kitchens, officially known as nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG), are required to involve and empower local farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, cooperatives, and small businesses as MBG suppliers

“SPPGs must not procure ingredients only from one, two, or three suppliers. It would be even worse if these suppliers are basically mere extensions of those running the kitchens,” she noted in a statement cited in Jakarta

Deyang highlighted diversification in the national priority program during a recent coordination meeting with leaders, financial auditors, and nutritionists of SPPGs operating in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, East Java.

At the forum, the BGN official elaborated on Presidential Regulation No. 115 of 2025 regarding the MBG program’s governance and implementation, which mandates prioritization of locally sourced commodities.

“In its implementation, the MBG program should prioritize the use of domestic products while involving micro and small enterprises, sole proprietorships, cooperatives, village cooperatives, and village-owned businesses,” Deyang emphasized.

She further stressed the program’s economic aims, saying MBG kitchens are expected to involve as many suppliers as possible to help stimulate local economies

“It is mandatory for SPPGs to engage at least 15 suppliers to meet their needs for raw food materials,” she added.

To enforce this requirement, Deyang instructed BGN regional coordinators to visit MBG kitchens to directly inspect their procurement mechanisms and prevent monopolies by certain businesses.

The BGN leader demanded that reports of the review be submitted within the next week and warned deviating SPPGs of suspensions.

“I will freeze SPPGs that are found working only with one to three suppliers,” she affirmed.