Palu (ANTARA) – The Nutritious Free Meals (MBG) program has reached about 61.93 million people and created jobs for 1.18 million workers across Indonesia since its launch in January 2025, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reported.Speaking in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Sunday, BGN Director of Nutrition Fulfillment Management Sitti Aidha Adha said the figures resulted from the establishment of 26,663 MBG kitchens nationwide, officially known as nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs).“As of April 17, 2026, the total number of MBG recipients in Central Sulawesi has reached 524,789,” she added, highlighting support from 10,460 workers operating 225 SPPGs across the province.Adha underscored that 28 percent of MBG kitchens in Central Sulawesi had been certified for hygiene and sanitation (SLHS), with personnel receiving training and mentoring from local health offices to ensure compliance with food quality and safety standards.In addition to SLHS, she said, all SPPGs across the country are required to obtain certificates for the halal aspect and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).On budgeting accountability, she explained that the Finance Ministry channels up to Rp1 billion (over US$58,000) to each SPPG monthly through virtual accounts tied to state-owned banks to allow for effective monitoring.She then urged regional governments to support MBG by boosting local food production and empowering farmers, small enterprises, and cooperatives to maximize public economic benefits from the national priority program.Beyond economic considerations, Adha emphasized that the program is primarily intended to improve human resource quality by increasing nutritional intake among schoolchildren, breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and children under five.She added that the initiative also aims to promote a healthy lifestyle based on balanced diets from an early age.Furthermore, the official assured citizens of continued improvement and corrective measures to ensure the program achieves optimal results.“With comprehensive support from the central government, regions, and the wider public, we are optimistic this program will endure and deliver more benefits,” she stated.