On July 30, 2025, in Serdang Bedagai, emotions ran high as Aslina shared her transformative story. Working at the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Cempedak Lobang, Sei Rampah, just a stone’s throw away from her home, she expressed her gratitude to the program that changed her life. Alongside regional leaders Hasan Nasbi and North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, Aslina tearfully thanked the President for the positive impact on her daily life.
Before joining the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, Aslina was a full-time homemaker without any income while her husband worked as a laborer with limited earnings. However, now she contributes to preparing healthy meals for school children in her community, bringing new hope to her life. Normawati, another participant, also highlighted how the opportunity to earn extra income close to home has been invaluable to support her family, including her school-going children who benefit from the MBG program’s nutritious meals.
The program’s impact reaches beyond housewives, as evidenced by 21-year-old Shinta Ramadana. Previously unemployed, she now works in food preparation with great enthusiasm, embodying the spirit of empowerment fostered by the MBG Program. These women are among the many individuals nationwide who have found employment and renewed hope through the initiative, according to data from the National Nutrition Agency.
The MBG Program goes beyond just providing nutritious meals; it symbolizes empowerment and transformation. It has transformed kitchens into spaces of hope, where individuals like Aslina, Norma, and Shinta have found opportunities for meaningful work and personal growth.
