The Indonesian Government's Policy in the Free Nutritious Meal Program

Abstract The MBG is a strategic initiative to support human resource development toward Golden Indonesia 2045 by providing free nutritious meals in Indonesia. The study aims to assess the governance structure, administrative setup, and stakeholder engagement processes in the program implementation. The present study is a qualitative research work that pays attention to the operational dynamics in different regions in Indonesia. The analysis indicates that the main governance challenges at the regional level are bureaucratic fragmentation and lack of cross-sector coordination. Furthermore, the mass poisoning incidents reflect a systemic failure in the implementation of food safety standards and supervision in the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units. Community involvement is currently still symbolic, although the empowerment of local SMEs has proven to strengthen the economic sustainability of the program. Finally, budget constraints and the uncertainty over funding mechanisms threaten the long-term operational stability of islands and rural areas. Overall, the literature points to a large gap between national policy aspirations and practical experiences on the ground. The implications of the findings emphasize the need to strengthen integrated regulation, invest in cold chain infrastructure, and transform community participation into full empowerment to ensure the accountability and sustainability of the national program.