Analysis: Indonesia’s Free Meals Program Poses Risks

The Free Nutritious Meal program in Indonesia, known as MBG, was initiated in January with the aim of ensuring no child goes hungry at school. Although the program carries a promising political message, it has faced challenges due to rushed implementation and a disregard for lessons learned from similar programs abroad. The hasty rollout has raised concerns about the effectiveness and sustainability of the initiative. Critics argue that proper planning and thorough research could have helped avoid potential pitfalls and enhanced the program’s impact.