Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Center of Reform on Economic (CORE) researcher Eliza Mardian said the “Free Nutritious Meals” program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto could have an effect on society, especially in creating new jobs.
“The multiplier effect of this free nutritious meal program is that it will create new jobs and new market share for the community around the location where the free nutritious meal takes place,” said Eliza in an official statement in Jakarta, Wednesday.
Eliza stated that the establishment of a healthy kitchen for the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) would boost the regional economy because the ingredients used were local products.
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Apart from that, SPPG kitchen staff also come from the local community. Such a kitchen concept can bring more benefits to local communities even though it has several drawbacks, such as difficulties in order execution and payment systems.
“You can use existing kitchens, for example kitchens that already exist in schools or MSME kitchens or kitchens belonging to local communities,” said Eliza.
He continued that using local kitchens or MSMEs can save budgets and reduce distribution costs because the kitchens are close to schools. More local workers will be absorbed.
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Previously on Monday (6/1), the government officially started the Free Nutritious Meal program in a number of regions in Indonesia.
Head of the Indonesian Presidential Communications Office Hasan Nasbi stated that his party hopes that the target of 937 MBG kitchens can be achieved by the end of January 2025, and by the end of 2025 with a target of 5,000 MBG kitchens able to serve up to 20 million beneficiaries, starting from PAUD-SMA level students, toddlers, mothers pregnant, to breastfeeding mothers.
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A total of 190 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or MBG Kitchens are ready to operate, spread across 26 provinces starting from Aceh, Bali, West Sumatra, North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Riau, Lampung, Banten, West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, Java East, DI Yogyakarta, and Gorontalo.
Then, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Maluku, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, to West Papua and South Papua.
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Reporter: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti
Editor: Siti Zulaikha
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