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CNN Indonesia/Adi Maulana Ibrahim
Free Lunch Is Considered Merely An Additional Nutritional Support For Children
Thursday, 09 Jan 2025
The free nutritious meal program (MBG) commenced yesterday, Monday (January 6). A variety of dishes are being served, including teriyaki chicken rice with green beans, fried chicken rice, and several other options.
Upon reviewing the offered menu, it appears to be quite comprehensive at first glance. It includes carbohydrates from rice, fiber from fruits and vegetables, and animal protein from chicken.
However, do these menus truly meet the nutritional needs of children? Nutrition specialist Dr. Johanes Chandrawinata noted that fulfilling a balanced nutritional composition can indeed pose a significant challenge, especially with limited funding.
He pointed out that one of the primary obstacles is the cost of food ingredients, particularly animal protein, which often represents the most expensive component. "From the examples of the menu provided, it seems that there may only be chicken skin or very small portions of fried chicken as sources of animal protein. Yet, animal protein is crucial for children's growth," Dr. Johanes stated in a conversation with CNNIndonesia.com on Tuesday (January 7).
Additionally, operational costs such as kitchen staff and the management margin for the free nutritious meals also impact the quality of food that can be offered.
Consequently, the budget of IDR 10,000 for a single MBG meal, according to Dr. Johanes, is only suitable as a supplementary food option rather than a replacement for children's primary meals.
Moreover, within this program, all children receive the same menu regardless of their individual conditions. This presents a challenge, as it is difficult to differentiate food options among children.
"It is true that there are differences in nutritional needs based on health, weight, and other factors. However, this program is designed for everyone, making it challenging to tailor the menu. Furthermore, it is important to remember that MBG provides only one meal, while the other two must be taken at home," he explained.
In agreement, nutrition expert Tan Shot Yet also expressed that MBG cannot serve as the sole support for children's daily nutritional needs.
