Indonesian govt to review school meal units during holidays

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government will use the upcoming school holiday period to reorganize nutrition service units and conduct a comprehensive review of its free meal program, a government official said on Wednesday.

Government Communication Agency (Bakom) Head Muhammad Qodari said operations at Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPG) would be temporarily suspended during the school break.

The move is part of efforts to improve SPPG performance in distributing Free Nutritious Meals to schoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers.

"The holiday period provides sufficient time and flexibility for the National Nutrition Agency to conduct a comprehensive evaluation," Qodari said in a statement.

He said regular assessments of SPPG operations already cover facility conditions, food preparation processes, hygiene and health standards, and meal quality.

Based on the findings, SPPG units will be grouped into quality categories, with higher-performing facilities receiving larger incentives.

"SPPG units will be graded. The best will receive an A rating, followed by B and C. These classifications will determine incentive levels," Qodari said.

He added that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is also considering broader reforms, including a temporary halt to new SPPG construction and a review of incentive calculations.

BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari said the measures aim to strengthen food safety standards, improve service quality and enhance governance of the national nutrition program.

She said incentive payments would be adjusted once beneficiary data is verified, taking into account the number of recipients and performance indicators, including the quality of meals provided.

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Translator: Maria, Kenzu

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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