Main Article Content
Abstract
Chronic nutritional problems in Indonesia, such as malnutrition, remain a significant issue requiring continuous attention. The government has launched the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program as a strategic nutritional intervention policy, targeting school children, toddlers, and pregnant women. This program is based on the understanding that adequate nutritional intake plays a crucial role in improving health quality and supporting students' learning productivity. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program policy in improving the health quality and learning productivity of students. This research uses a qualitative method, with a case study approach, and data collection techniques include interviews, observation, and documentation. Data analysis uses a thematic method. Informants in this study were students, teachers, and parents of students, selected using a purposive sampling technique. The results show that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has relatively high effectiveness in improving immunity, concentration, and memory. Students are more energetic and fit, which will have a positive impact on enthusiasm, motivation for student attendance, enthusiasm, and active participation in the learning process. Thus, it can improve nutritional status, health quality, and education. This research contributes to the health field by finding that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is effective as a long-term strategy to improve health and education quality.
Keywords
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
- Agustini, U., & Muliyani, S. (2025). Effectiveness and challenges of the free nutritious meal program policy as an educational intervention in Indonesia. Jurnal Kiprah Pendidikan, 4(3), 362–368. https://doi.org/10.33578/kpd.v4i3.p362-368
- Aisyah, S., Erlangga, F. D., Zidan, F. S., Ghafur, M. F. R., Arjunnajah, A. N., & Suhardi. (2025). Analysis of the free lunch program policy on improving nutrition of school-age children and its implications for the learning process. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 9(2), 24862–24869.
- Albaburrahim, Putikadyanto, A. P. A., Efendi, A. N., Alatas, M. A., Romadhon, S., & Wachidah, L. R. (2025). Free nutritious meal program: A critical analysis of Indonesia’s education transformation towards the 2045 golden generation. Entita: Jurnal Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial dan Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 767–780. https://doi.org/10.19105/ejpis.v1i.19191
- Ayuni, D. T. (2025). Dilemma of implementing the free nutritious meal program for students. Triwikrama: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu Sosial, 8(8), 1986. https://doi.org/10.9963/mmxf6b34
- Azka, M. F., Rahmahyani, Nafiah, L., Putri, L. A., Fathurrahman, M., & Wijayama, B. (2025). Portrait of the implementation of the free nutritious meal program at SDN Pesantren, Mijen District, Semarang City. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 11(11.D), 90–102. https://jurnal.peneliti.net/index.php/JIWP/article/view/13130
- Azzahra, N., Dharmawan, A. D., Mardatilah, A. F., Habibi, M. I., Aryani, V. A. P., & Suhardi. (2025). Implementation of the free nutritious meal program trial at SMP Negeri 4 Tangerang. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan, 3(4), 5036–5044. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v3i4.1335
- Dzakiyah, A. N., Andryandy, T., Kuswanto, F. R. H., & Syahrevi, I. (2025). Public relations strategy of the Prabowo government in the free nutritious meal program. Al-Zayn: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial & Hukum, 3(5), 6885–6899. https://doi.org/10.61104/alz.v3i5.2312
- Hasibuan, N. H., Armanda, T. B., Aulya, F., Fauzi, M. I., & Ivanna, J. (2025). Analysis of the free nutritious meal program policy on improving student motivation and concentration at SMK Negeri Medan. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 9(1), 611–615.
- Herniati, N., & Idawati. (2025). Effectiveness of the government’s free nutritious meal program on early childhood learning interest. Jurnal Pendidikan AURA (Anak Usia Raudhatul Atfhal), 6(1), 88–98. https://doi.org/10.37216/aura.v6i1.2484
- Kiftiyah, A., Palestina, F. A., Abshar, F. U., & Rofiah, K. (2025). Free nutritious meal program (MBG) in the perspective of social justice and socio-political dynamics. Pancasila: Jurnal Keindonesiaan, 5(1), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.52738/pjk.v5i1.726
- Lendra, I. W., Husni, D., & Fitriani, Y. (2025). Free nutritious meal policy and its relevance to good governance values: A qualitative analysis in public administration. Arus Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora, 5(1), 937–945. https://doi.org/10.57250/ajsh.v5i1.1252
- Milati, A. H., Kamil, I., & Sudrajat, A. (2025). Government collaboration on the free nutritious meal program in North Sumedang District, Sumedang Regency. Jurnal Tata Kelola dan Kebijakan Publik, 1(4), 487–499.
- Mursyidah, D. S., Caturi, P. I., & Asri, Y. N. (2025). Integration of green lifestyle values in the free nutritious meal program for elementary school students. Journal of Innovative and Creativity, 5(3), 27580–27586. https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i3.4029
- Nasir, L. O. (2025). Parents’ perspectives on the free lunch program at public elementary school 101, Central Maluku. Edukasi Elita: Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan, 2(4), 154–160. https://doi.org/10.62383/edukasi.v2i4.2396
- Nurulaini, R., & Afifah, D. F. (2025). Implementation of the MBG program to improve nutrition of elementary school children in Semarang City. Jurnal Sosial Teknologi, 5(11), 4249–4259. https://doi.org/10.59188/jurnalsostech.v5i11.32520
- Nurwakhid, M. A., & Fridiyanti, Y. N. (2025). Analysis of the effectiveness of the free lunch program on child nutrition and stunting in Indonesia. Socius: Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 3(1), 314–324. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15839164
- Pangera, A. M. F. H. T., Rusadi, A. S. N., & Ahmad, M. R. S. (2025). Analysis of the Prabowo–Gibran free nutritious meal policy and its impact on education. J-CEKI: Jurnal Cendekia Ilmiah, 4(5), 655–664. https://doi.org/10.56799/jceki.v4i5.9695
- Pratiwi, A., Sipangkar, S. W. R., Ramadhani, A. N. R., Mulyady, S., Hylmi, M. R., & Rahmawati, R. (2024). Analysis of the implementation of the free nutritious meal program in the framework of Hanna F. Pitkin’s mandate theory. Jurnal Kebijakan Sosial, 15(2), 120–135. https://doi.org/10.6578/triwikrama.v7i10.12252
- Qomarrullah, R., Suratni, S. L. W., & Sawir, M. (2025). Long-term impact of the free nutritious meal program on health and education sustainability. Indonesian Journal of Intellectual Publication, 5(2), 130–137. https://doi.org/10.51577/ijipublication.v5i2.660
- Risnawati, E., Suriansyah, A., & Harsono, A. M. B. (2026). Implementation of the free nutritious meal program in improving the effectiveness of the learning process in elementary schools. JPIM: Jurnal Penelitian Ilmiah Multidisipliner, 2(4), 832–842. https://ojs.ruangpublikasi.com/index.php/jpim/article/view/1380
- Rosidin, A., Maulana, J., & Dharmawan, A. (2025). Challenges and strategies for implementing the free nutritious meal program: A case study of the Banten Provincial Government. Jurnal Hukum dan Administrasi Publik, 3(2), 131–143.
- Situmorang, M., Ahmad, M., & Kamaludin, K. (2025). Correlation between nutritional intake through school programs and students’ cognitive abilities. Ulil Albab: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 4(2), 706–712. https://doi.org/10.56799/jim.v4i2.7056
- Syamsu, R. F., Putry, R. A., & Widyadhana, N. M. (2025). Review of nutritional value of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) of the President of Indonesia. Jurnal Kesehatan Tambusai, 6(4), 4843–4853. https://doi.org/10.31004/jkt.v6i4.51554
- Tambunan, K. A. H., Nababan, R., Siagian, R. A., Naiborhu, R., Harianti, S., & Jamaludin, J. (2025). Critical review of the free nutritious meal program on student learning productivity. Katalis Pendidikan: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan dan Matematika, 2(2), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.62383/katalis.v2i2.1428
- Wardoyo, R. P., Sarifah, I., & Yunus, M. (2025). Impact of free nutritious meals on the learning interest of fifth-grade elementary school students. Pendas: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(2), 381–392. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v10i02.25526
- Widyasari, S. Y., Larasati, A., & Alam, W. Y. (2025). Evaluation of the free nutritious meal policy in elementary schools: Implications for child health and local economic empowerment. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research, 5(4), 1727–1736. https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v5i4.20023
- Wiranata, I. H., Yunita, A., Matang, & Sari, H. T. W. (2025). Free nutritious meal program: Strategy for improving nutrition and education quality at SDN 13 Cempaka Pekanbaru. In Prosiding SEMDIKJAR (Seminar Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran) (Vol. 8, pp. 2313–2323). https://doi.org/10.29407/4332ws53
References
Agustini, U., & Muliyani, S. (2025). Effectiveness and challenges of the free nutritious meal program policy as an educational intervention in Indonesia. Jurnal Kiprah Pendidikan, 4(3), 362–368. https://doi.org/10.33578/kpd.v4i3.p362-368
Aisyah, S., Erlangga, F. D., Zidan, F. S., Ghafur, M. F. R., Arjunnajah, A. N., & Suhardi. (2025). Analysis of the free lunch program policy on improving nutrition of school-age children and its implications for the learning process. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 9(2), 24862–24869.
Albaburrahim, Putikadyanto, A. P. A., Efendi, A. N., Alatas, M. A., Romadhon, S., & Wachidah, L. R. (2025). Free nutritious meal program: A critical analysis of Indonesia’s education transformation towards the 2045 golden generation. Entita: Jurnal Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial dan Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 767–780. https://doi.org/10.19105/ejpis.v1i.19191
Ayuni, D. T. (2025). Dilemma of implementing the free nutritious meal program for students. Triwikrama: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu Sosial, 8(8), 1986. https://doi.org/10.9963/mmxf6b34
Azka, M. F., Rahmahyani, Nafiah, L., Putri, L. A., Fathurrahman, M., & Wijayama, B. (2025). Portrait of the implementation of the free nutritious meal program at SDN Pesantren, Mijen District, Semarang City. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 11(11.D), 90–102. https://jurnal.peneliti.net/index.php/JIWP/article/view/13130
Azzahra, N., Dharmawan, A. D., Mardatilah, A. F., Habibi, M. I., Aryani, V. A. P., & Suhardi. (2025). Implementation of the free nutritious meal program trial at SMP Negeri 4 Tangerang. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan, 3(4), 5036–5044. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v3i4.1335
Dzakiyah, A. N., Andryandy, T., Kuswanto, F. R. H., & Syahrevi, I. (2025). Public relations strategy of the Prabowo government in the free nutritious meal program. Al-Zayn: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial & Hukum, 3(5), 6885–6899. https://doi.org/10.61104/alz.v3i5.2312
Hasibuan, N. H., Armanda, T. B., Aulya, F., Fauzi, M. I., & Ivanna, J. (2025). Analysis of the free nutritious meal program policy on improving student motivation and concentration at SMK Negeri Medan. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 9(1), 611–615.
Herniati, N., & Idawati. (2025). Effectiveness of the government’s free nutritious meal program on early childhood learning interest. Jurnal Pendidikan AURA (Anak Usia Raudhatul Atfhal), 6(1), 88–98. https://doi.org/10.37216/aura.v6i1.2484
Kiftiyah, A., Palestina, F. A., Abshar, F. U., & Rofiah, K. (2025). Free nutritious meal program (MBG) in the perspective of social justice and socio-political dynamics. Pancasila: Jurnal Keindonesiaan, 5(1), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.52738/pjk.v5i1.726
Lendra, I. W., Husni, D., & Fitriani, Y. (2025). Free nutritious meal policy and its relevance to good governance values: A qualitative analysis in public administration. Arus Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora, 5(1), 937–945. https://doi.org/10.57250/ajsh.v5i1.1252
Milati, A. H., Kamil, I., & Sudrajat, A. (2025). Government collaboration on the free nutritious meal program in North Sumedang District, Sumedang Regency. Jurnal Tata Kelola dan Kebijakan Publik, 1(4), 487–499.
Mursyidah, D. S., Caturi, P. I., & Asri, Y. N. (2025). Integration of green lifestyle values in the free nutritious meal program for elementary school students. Journal of Innovative and Creativity, 5(3), 27580–27586. https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i3.4029
Nasir, L. O. (2025). Parents’ perspectives on the free lunch program at public elementary school 101, Central Maluku. Edukasi Elita: Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan, 2(4), 154–160. https://doi.org/10.62383/edukasi.v2i4.2396
Nurulaini, R., & Afifah, D. F. (2025). Implementation of the MBG program to improve nutrition of elementary school children in Semarang City. Jurnal Sosial Teknologi, 5(11), 4249–4259. https://doi.org/10.59188/jurnalsostech.v5i11.32520
Nurwakhid, M. A., & Fridiyanti, Y. N. (2025). Analysis of the effectiveness of the free lunch program on child nutrition and stunting in Indonesia. Socius: Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 3(1), 314–324. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15839164
Pangera, A. M. F. H. T., Rusadi, A. S. N., & Ahmad, M. R. S. (2025). Analysis of the Prabowo–Gibran free nutritious meal policy and its impact on education. J-CEKI: Jurnal Cendekia Ilmiah, 4(5), 655–664. https://doi.org/10.56799/jceki.v4i5.9695
Pratiwi, A., Sipangkar, S. W. R., Ramadhani, A. N. R., Mulyady, S., Hylmi, M. R., & Rahmawati, R. (2024). Analysis of the implementation of the free nutritious meal program in the framework of Hanna F. Pitkin’s mandate theory. Jurnal Kebijakan Sosial, 15(2), 120–135. https://doi.org/10.6578/triwikrama.v7i10.12252
Qomarrullah, R., Suratni, S. L. W., & Sawir, M. (2025). Long-term impact of the free nutritious meal program on health and education sustainability. Indonesian Journal of Intellectual Publication, 5(2), 130–137. https://doi.org/10.51577/ijipublication.v5i2.660
Risnawati, E., Suriansyah, A., & Harsono, A. M. B. (2026). Implementation of the free nutritious meal program in improving the effectiveness of the learning process in elementary schools. JPIM: Jurnal Penelitian Ilmiah Multidisipliner, 2(4), 832–842. https://ojs.ruangpublikasi.com/index.php/jpim/article/view/1380
Rosidin, A., Maulana, J., & Dharmawan, A. (2025). Challenges and strategies for implementing the free nutritious meal program: A case study of the Banten Provincial Government. Jurnal Hukum dan Administrasi Publik, 3(2), 131–143.
Situmorang, M., Ahmad, M., & Kamaludin, K. (2025). Correlation between nutritional intake through school programs and students’ cognitive abilities. Ulil Albab: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 4(2), 706–712. https://doi.org/10.56799/jim.v4i2.7056
Syamsu, R. F., Putry, R. A., & Widyadhana, N. M. (2025). Review of nutritional value of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) of the President of Indonesia. Jurnal Kesehatan Tambusai, 6(4), 4843–4853. https://doi.org/10.31004/jkt.v6i4.51554
Tambunan, K. A. H., Nababan, R., Siagian, R. A., Naiborhu, R., Harianti, S., & Jamaludin, J. (2025). Critical review of the free nutritious meal program on student learning productivity. Katalis Pendidikan: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan dan Matematika, 2(2), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.62383/katalis.v2i2.1428
Wardoyo, R. P., Sarifah, I., & Yunus, M. (2025). Impact of free nutritious meals on the learning interest of fifth-grade elementary school students. Pendas: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(2), 381–392. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v10i02.25526
Widyasari, S. Y., Larasati, A., & Alam, W. Y. (2025). Evaluation of the free nutritious meal policy in elementary schools: Implications for child health and local economic empowerment. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research, 5(4), 1727–1736. https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v5i4.20023
Wiranata, I. H., Yunita, A., Matang, & Sari, H. T. W. (2025). Free nutritious meal program: Strategy for improving nutrition and education quality at SDN 13 Cempaka Pekanbaru. In Prosiding SEMDIKJAR (Seminar Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran) (Vol. 8, pp. 2313–2323). https://doi.org/10.29407/4332ws53