Free meal program has involved 148 thousand local suppliers: Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's free nutritious meals program has engaged about 148,000 local suppliers and will increasingly rely on Red and White Village Cooperatives to strengthen rural economies and support food self-sufficiency, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said.

"The program currently involves around 148,000 suppliers, including village-owned enterprises, Red and White Village Cooperatives, farmer groups, livestock groups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises," Hasan said on Monday.

He made the remarks during a food security and environmental sustainability dialogue in Wonosobo, Central Java, attended by government officials, academics, non-governmental organizations and social forestry groups.

The discussion focused on developing local food, expanding social forestry and strengthening rural economies.

Hasan said Indonesia's food security strategy extends beyond rice by promoting a wider range of locally produced food commodities.

"Local food must become a driver of the rural economy. Products from communities should be absorbed by the free meals program and village cooperatives so farmers, livestock breeders and small businesses benefit directly," he said.

He said strengthening local food production is essential to achieving food self-sufficiency while creating a sustainable rural economy.

The government will continue promoting locally produced goods to make economic benefits get distributed more broadly across rural communities, he added.

The National Nutrition Agency said in April 2026 that the free meals program had become a driver of regional economic growth by absorbing local agricultural, livestock and fishery products.

In West Java, about 6,200 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, or free meals kitchens, are projected to generate around Rp6 trillion (about US$368 million) in monthly economic activity, according to the agency.

Translator: Aria, Kenzu

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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