MBG Buffet Tested in 10 Provinces, Minister Zulhas: I Would Ask for Seconds

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) announced that there are currently 66 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in 10 provinces testing the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program using a buffet-style concept.

Zulhas stated that if he participates in the MBG buffet, he would definitely ask for more food.

"If I join in, I would be someone who actually asks for seconds," Zulhas remarked at the Food Coordinating Ministry office in Jakarta on Monday (19/10/2026).

Regarding the buffet concept, Zulhas explained that this is part of President Prabowo Subianto's directive to assess how MBG is distributed in other countries.

Consequently, the government is piloting the MBG buffet in several areas first.

Zulhas claimed that this buffet concept reduces cases of MBG poisoning.

"It aims to minimize issues like food poisoning, lengthy delivery times, cold food, and so forth. It has already been tested in 66 SPPG across 10 provinces," Zulhas said.

Meanwhile, Zulhas noted that with the buffet approach, leftover MBG is minimized since children can take food according to their portions.

"This is still an experiment; it appears there is no food waste, everything is clean, and some children even go for seconds, so there are no leftovers. But this is still in the piloting phase, already at 66 locations," he added.