Indonesia Aims to Address Malnutrition with Latest Free Meal Initiative

Indonesia is set to launch a significant social welfare program, the Free Meal Initiative, aimed at addressing malnutrition and poverty. This ambitious program will provide daily meals to millions of Indonesians, including children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

The pilot phase of the program will commence in December 2024, covering a vast geographical area from Sabang to Merauke. The full-scale rollout is scheduled for January 2025, with the goal of reaching 82.9 million people by 2027.

The program is expected to create numerous jobs, with an estimated 1.5 million job opportunities being generated. Initially, 923 food kitchens will be established, gradually increasing to 2,000 and then 5,000 by August 2025. Each kitchen is projected to serve approximately 3,000 people daily.

The Free Meal Initiative is a key component of President Prabowo Subianto's administration's efforts to combat malnutrition, particularly stunting, which affects a significant portion of Indonesian children. By providing nutritious meals, the government aims to improve the physical and cognitive development of the nation's youth.