Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 12:09 PM UTC

Indonesia launches 13 new free meals kitchens in Papua Province

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Q. Pratiwi, Tegar Nurfitra

Jayapura (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) on Sunday launched 13 new kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Papua Province, expanding the reach of the government's flagship initiative.

Nurjaeni, BGN's director of food provision and distribution, said the new kitchens, officially known as Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs), are part of efforts to ensure the program reaches all regions, including frontier, underdeveloped, and outermost (3T) areas.

"There were 13 SPPGs launched in Papua Province today, with 10 located in 3T areas," he said in Jayapura, Papua.

He emphasized that the agency appreciates the support of the Papua provincial government as well as the administrations of Jayapura District and Jayapura City in developing the MBG kitchens.

"It is true that several SPPGs experienced operational delays due to various issues, including legal matters," Nurjaeni said, assuring the public that authorities would continue addressing such challenges to advance the program.

The official further reported that 36 SPPGs had been prepared in several provinces across the Papua region to support implementation of the nutrition program.

"Going forward, we will also tighten oversight of SPPGs' compliance as part of our evaluation of the program, particularly following a number of food poisoning incidents," he said, referring to cases in which kitchens failed to meet the government's food safety standards.

He underscored that the government had permanently shut down four MBG kitchens in Papua due to severe operational shortcomings rendering them unfit to operate.

"Meanwhile, SPPGs linked to serious incidents will be suspended for improvements. They may only resume operations after being declared fit by the local health office," Nurjaeni said.

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