MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SEMARANG – Muhammadiyah continues to intensify its collaboration with the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional/BGN) through the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG).
The program not only provides nutritionally balanced meals with measured nutritional content to improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources, but also serves as a national strategic initiative with added value and multiplier effects for the socio-economic empowerment of communities.
National Coordinator of Muhammadiyah Free Nutritious Meal Program, M. Nurul Yamin, conveyed the message during the launch of MBG services at the Muhammadiyah Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Wonolopo, Mijen, Semarang, on Tuesday (27/01).
Yamin explained that Muhammadiyah’s MBG program targets Muhammadiyah schools and Islamic boarding schools, as well as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.
The program is an implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central Board of Muhammadiyah and BGN.
Currently, Muhammadiyah’s MBG services are operating in 20 provinces and 100 regencies/cities across Indonesia. A total of 225 Muhammadiyah SPPG are ready to deliver services and will continue to expand to maximize benefits and socio-economic impact for community welfare.
Building a Sustainable Nutrition Environment
“This is concrete evidence of collaboration between the government and civil society for the good of the nation,” Yamin emphasized.
In its implementation, Yamin stressed the importance of building a sustainable MBG ecosystem. Muhammadiyah, he said, continues to enhance professional governance by focusing on three main pillars: food safety, trustworthy and professional governance, and a sustainable program ecosystem.
Nevertheless, Yamin also urged the National Nutrition Agency to be more selective in choosing MBG program partners. The selection process, he noted, should consider portfolios, experience, capacity, and track records of foundations, including their length of establishment.
“BGN needs to distinguish between foundations that have proven their real contribution to the nation and those that are established hastily merely to access this program,” he said.
Looking ahead, Yamin hopes Muhammadiyah and BGN can further strengthen their cooperation not only in expanding service coverage, but also in enhancing nutrition literacy and education, as well as developing research and innovation in the fields of nutrition.
“With Muhammadiyah’s extensive network of charitable enterprises in education, health, and social services, we remain open to collaboration and committed to making our best contribution to national progress,” he concluded.
Translator: Bintang Adrian
