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View all search resultsHundreds of kitchens halt services due to 'pause' in free meals funds
The new BGN head has dismissed reports on an alleged pause in operational funds as a "hoax", saying that disbursements were made in stages on June 5 and 8, though the sudden change has left hundreds of SPPG unable to prepare nutritious meals for the nationwide feeding program.
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Students munch on snacks and sip bottled water or cups of tea on June 8, 2026, in the canteen at SMPN 12 Batam junior high school in Batam, the Riau Islands, after local nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) halted operations for the free nutritious meal program due to alleged funding stoppage by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). (JP/Fadli)
T
he government’s flagship free nutritious meal (MBG) program has been at a standstill in several regions since Monday after kitchens and catering services said they had not received their allotted funding from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which manages the program.
Hundreds of nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) across the country, from Aceh and the Riau Islands to Central Java and West Nusa Tenggara, said they had to stop preparing meals for the program due to the alleged funding stoppage.
In Banda Aceh, for example, local SPPG coordinator Muhammad Reza said seven out of 37 SPPG had halted services, while other kitchens still had leftover funds to cover daily operations.
He explained that certain kitchens were unable to continue their services as they had not received the regular disbursements in their bank accounts.
“The funds have not been transferred, so the main fund used for kitchen operations has dried up already,” Reza told reporters on Monday, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
“At this time, they are still waiting for a top-up from the BGN,” he said.
Meanwhile, 55 SPPG in Batam had to halt operations for the same reason.
