Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is encouraging kitchens participating in the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to actively provide nutrition education to those they serve.
Nutrition Education a Key Component of Indonesia’s Free Meals Program
BGN Deputy Head Nanik Sudaryati said the MBG kitchens, officially known as Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPG), are responsible for delivering nutrition education in schools and coordinating with teachers.
“They spend one hour teaching in a classroom, then move to another class, explaining the importance of eating nutritious food,” Sudaryati said.
The kitchens are also encouraged to collaborate with health professionals at community health centers to offer nutrition counseling for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. Additionally, cooperation with village heads can facilitate discussion forums to improve nutrition awareness and explain the MBG program’s implementation.
Sudaryati expressed gratitude for the kitchen heads, accountants, nutritionists, partners, and volunteers who are implementing creative approaches to nutrition education for children.
To incentivize children to eat vegetables, meal distributors have utilized costumes of popular comic characters, offered healthy snacks, and provided small incentives. “We dressed the drivers in Power Rangers costumes to boost children’s enthusiasm. We tell them we will bring the characters again if they eat vegetables,” Sudaryati explained.
BGN officials also emphasized the need for kitchen staff to enhance their public speaking skills, beginning with small forums in schools, community groups, and village offices, to effectively communicate the program’s importance to the public.
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