Jan 6 2025: Indonesia officially launched its ambitious free meal program on Monday, with the initiative providing meals to 570,000 people on its first day. Spearheaded by President Prabowo Subianto, the program aims to address child malnutrition and stimulate regional economic growth by eventually feeding over 83 million Indonesians, nearly a third of the country’s population, by 2029.
Despite its prominence in Prabowo’s election campaign, the program’s rollout was low-key, involving 190 kitchens preparing meals for schoolchildren and pregnant women across more than 20 provinces.
Massive Costs and Logistical Challenges
The program is estimated to cost $28 billion over five years, raising concerns among economists about its potential impact on Indonesia’s fiscal stability. This year alone, the initiative will require 71 trillion rupiah ($4.39 billion) to provide meals to an initial 15 million recipients.
Defending the initiative, Prabowo has described it as a strategic investment in the nation’s future, tackling malnutrition while boosting local economies.
At an elementary school in West Jakarta, students received trays of rice, fried chicken, tofu, beans, and oranges. Parents like Hana Yohana praised the program for simplifying their morning routines. “Thank God, this helps us,” said Yohana, noting the relief it provides to busy families.
Scaling Up the Program
The free meal program will gradually expand, targeting 3 million recipients by March and continuing to grow throughout the year. The government and military are instrumental in preparing and distributing meals, supported by pilot programs that included milk and other nutritious foods.
While milk will not be provided daily, the government has taken steps to increase its availability by importing dairy cows from Australia to boost local production.
The program reflects Prabowo’s broader commitment to reducing inequality and enhancing public welfare in Indonesia, as it begins addressing the challenges of feeding millions in one of the world’s most populous nations.
