The Indonesian government has rolled out an ambitious free meal programme to tackle malnutrition and encourage healthy eating habits among students in underserved communities.
The Free Nutritious Meal Programme, a flagship initiative of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, was a central promise during his 2024 election campaign. Over the next five years, the program aims to benefit more than 82 million students and pregnant women across the nation.
In a statement issued by the Presidential Communication Office spokesperson, Philips Vermonte, the initiative was described as unprecedented in the country’s history.
“For the first time in the history of independent Indonesia, a universal government-subsidized program will provide millions of our students with rich, nutritious meals. These meals are prepared with high hygiene standards and are ready to be served to children in schools across the world’s largest archipelagic nation,” Vermonte stated.
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Indonesia’s education system, the fourth largest globally, encompasses over 60 million students in more than 400,000 schools. The program leverages locally sourced ingredients to prepare high-quality, balanced meals in centralized kitchens, ensuring freshness and boosting local agriculture.
The program has garnered strong support from international organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
By addressing malnutrition and promoting healthy eating, the initiative aims to enhance students’ physical and cognitive development, improving educational outcomes. It also seeks to reduce economic disparities by supporting families in need and stimulating local economies through ingredient sourcing.
The Free Nutritious Meal Programme marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s efforts to uplift underserved communities and build a healthier, more equitable society.
One of the Asian countries, Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea.
