Indonesia spent 173.2 trillion rupiah (US$9.5 billion) on its Free Nutritious Meals Programme between January and October 2026, according to figures released by the Finance Ministry on November 13.
Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara said the programme had reached 58.2 million recipients by the end of October. Meals were distributed through 27,485 kitchens operating across the country.
The programme, known locally as Makan Bergizi Gratis, is a flagship initiative of President Prabowo Subianto. It provides free meals to schoolchildren and other eligible groups, including pregnant women and young children.
The government introduced the programme in January 2025 to improve nutrition and address malnutrition. It is also intended to support local food producers and create employment through the establishment of meal preparation and distribution facilities.
The programme has expanded significantly since its launch. By February 2026, government figures showed that it had reached more than 60 million beneficiaries through over 23,000 operational kitchens. The latest October figures reflect changes in the programme’s coverage and operational network.
Indonesia initially allocated 335 trillion rupiah for the programme in its 2026 budget. The allocation was subsequently revised as the government reviewed expenditure and implementation requirements.
The programme has faced scrutiny over food safety, operational management and budget utilisation. Reports of food poisoning incidents have prompted calls for stronger monitoring of food preparation and distribution.
The government has said it is reviewing implementation standards while continuing the programme’s expansion.
The Finance Ministry’s latest figures show that spending reached 173.2 trillion rupiah in the first 10 months of 2026, with more than 58 million people receiving meals through the nationwide network.
