In Serdang Bedagai, on July 30, 2025, Aslina was overwhelmed with emotions. With tears in her eyes, she expressed how her life had taken a positive turn. Working at the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Cempedak Lobang, Sei Rampah, Serdang Bedagai, just a short distance from her home has been a life-changing opportunity for her. Aslina thanked the President for the support and hoped the program would continue indefinitely. On a particular Wednesday, Hasan Nasbi, the Head of the Presidential Communication Office, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, and other regional leaders visited Aslina’s workplace, making her feel proud.
Before being part of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, Aslina was a stay-at-home mother with no income, relying solely on her husband’s earnings as a laborer. The program has given her the chance to contribute by preparing healthy meals for schoolchildren in her community, bringing a sense of fulfillment and purpose to her life. Normawati, also known as Norma, who is a mother of three children, found the program meaningful as it provided her with additional income to support her family while working close to home.
Not limited to housewives, the program has also impacted young women like Shinta Ramadana. Unemployed for months, Shinta now works in food preparation, handling various tasks with enthusiasm and dedication. The program has empowered many women like Aslina, Norma, and Shinta across the country. Data from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) indicates that by May 28, 2025, over 93,572 individuals have been employed through the MBG Program, operating in 2,378 SPPG units nationwide.
The MBG Program goes beyond providing nutritious meals; it focuses on empowering individuals and transforming lives. Kitchens have become spaces of hope, where women like Aslina, Norma, and Shinta find purpose and opportunities for growth.
