Indonesia to Provide Free Meals for Mothers and Toddlers During Ramadan 2026
Key Takeaways
- Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program will operate throughout Ramadan.
- Primary focus remains on pregnant/breastfeeding women and children under five.
- Program aims to reduce national stunting rates and support early development.
Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program will maintain operations during Ramadanwith services specifically directed toward pregnant womenbreastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) confirmed the continuity, emphasizing that nutritional support for these groups cannot pause during holidays or religious observance periods.
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana stated the program’s core priority is the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
“That is why during school holidays and Ramadan, the program will keep running,” he explained during a visit to a North Jakarta school. “This golden period is very short and decisive for preventing stunting and supporting early brain development.”
He stressed that consistent year-round support is essential for long-term physical and cognitive outcomes.
The MBG program, was launched by President Prabowo Subianto, has grown since its launch. By the end of 2025, it had reached approximately 55.1 million beneficiaries. The government’s goal is to expand coverage to 82.9 million people.
Hindayana reported that by 2025, around 700,000 people were employed directly in nearly 20,000 community kitchens (SPPG) across the archipelago, with additional jobs generated in farming and supply chains.
The program officially resumed nationwide operations on January 8, following a school holiday break.
Its sustained operation during Ramadan underscores a strategic effort to meet nutritional needs consistently, aligning with national targets to sharply reduce Indonesia’s stunting prevalence.
