JAKARTA, Thekabarnews.com—Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has decided to suspend the Free Meals (MBG) program across the country during the upcoming school holiday period. The reason is to improve operational standards. Besides that, BGN wants to strengthen governance and enhance service quality.

The temporary suspension will be from June 22 to July 13, 2026. This timing follows the school holiday schedule set by the primary and secondary education ministry.

BGN announced the decision after issuing Circular Letter No. 12/2026 on June 17. The letter includes changes to the operation of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) during the holiday period. Moreover, these changes apply under the MBG program for fiscal year 2026.

BGN deputy head Agustina Arumsari said on Thursday, June 18, at a press conference in Jakarta that the agency deliberately chose not to distribute meals during the school break. In addition, the goal is to allow for comprehensive improvements to the program’s operational system.

“We will not be distributing MBG meals during this holiday period to standardize operational governance and improve resource efficiency,” said Arumsari.

The suspension applies to all MBG beneficiaries, including school students and the 3B priority groups. These groups include women in pregnancy, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five not enrolled in early childhood education programs.

BGN will also suspend daily operational incentives for SPPG operators while the agency temporarily halts meal distribution. The scheme generally provides these incentives to SPPG operators.

BGN said the three-week suspension would be used to reorganize field operations and to improve quality control. This improvement will take place across the national network of SPPG kitchens.

The program will be restarted. Thereafter, officials will review food production standards, operating procedures, and service delivery to try to ensure more uniform execution.

The agency also plans to undertake internal organizational reforms in addition to operational improvements. This includes restructuring human resources, strengthening governance, and improving administrative processes to support the program’s long-term sustainability.

One of the agency’s key priorities during the period of suspension is the updating and verification of beneficiary and operational data. This task will be coordinated with relevant ministries and government institutions.

Better data management will make the program more efficient. In addition, officials say it will reduce administrative headaches when they implement it in the future.

The MBG Program is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s main social initiatives to improve child nutrition. It also supports maternal health and builds Indonesia’s human capital.

Since its launch, the government has further improved operational procedures and expanded the program’s coverage nationwide.

BGN stressed that the temporary suspension does not represent any decline in the government’s commitment to the MBG program. Officials said the pause, instead, was a strategic opportunity to build operational performance before schools reopen.

The agency expects to complete all operational improvements, governance changes, and data synchronization efforts by the time classes resume in mid-July.

“We are working to restart the distribution of meals with improved quality standards, improved operating efficiency, and increased supervision after the school holiday,” said BGN’s statement. In addition, the improved national program would continue to provide nutritious meals to beneficiaries.

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