Every morning, the aroma of cooking wafts and tickles the senses from a large kitchen in Kaliboto Village, Bener District, Purworejo Regency. Smoke rises from large pots lined up on lit stoves, while staff briskly stir vegetables, fry dishes, and prepare thousands of meal portions.
This is the heartbeat of the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) of Dapur Mandiri Nastiti Harapan Mulya, better known as SPPG Bener, one of the main drivers of President Prabowo Subianto's priority program, Free Nutritious Meals (MBG).
However, this kitchen is not just a place to cook nutritious meals. Behind the bustling activities, there is a desire to listen and understand the tastes of the beneficiary children.
Several sheets of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu orders are posted on the information board at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
One of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menus served at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
"At this SPPG, beneficiaries can request the menu they desire, as long as it still meets nutritional adequacy," said Bener SPPG Head Adi Chandra Prasetyo.
The effort to listen to input from the beneficiary students is something special about this kitchen. Not only because the food is delicious and nutritious, but also because they feel heard. Every child is allowed to request the menu they want, as long as it meets the nutritional adequacy standards (AKG).
One of the beneficiaries, Naufal Fallad, a 10th-grade student at Purworejo State Junior High School 19, admitted that he greatly enjoys the MBG meals prepared by SPPG Bener.
Several beneficiary students of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu take a group photo at MTs Negeri 2 Purworejo, Central Java.
Several students carry stainless steel food boxes of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu to be distributed to other students at MTs Negeri 2 Purworejo, Central Java.
"The menu always changes, so it never gets boring. I once ordered spicy fried chicken, and it was granted by the kitchen. It tasted great," he said with a smile.
SPPG Bener produces menus daily based on requests from the students. The goal is simple: to keep the children from getting bored and to encourage them to eat nutritious food.
This menu request concept makes the kitchen atmosphere feel more vibrant. On one hand, the nutrition team remains disciplined in maintaining food safety standards, and on the other hand, they open up opportunities for participation so that the children feel involved.
Several workers arrange the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
Officers check the list of schools receiving the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu benefits at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
The result is that the food served not only meets nutritional needs but also entices the palate and brings simple happiness to the faces of the students.
SPPG Bener exemplifies that fulfilling nutrition is not just a government program; it is a social movement that nurtures empathy and care.
"Through fulfilling children's nutrition, we want to contribute to achieving a Golden Indonesia 2045," said Adi.
Workers arrange the stainless steel food boxes of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu into a truck at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
Workers arrange the cooking equipment for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
From the kitchen in the remote village of Kaliboto, the spirit of building a healthy generation continues to beat from every steaming pan, from every plate served, toward a stronger and more nutritious future for Indonesian children.
Photo and Text: Anis Efizudin
Officers inspect the stainless steel food boxes of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
Workers wash the stainless steel food boxes of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
Workers carry out the drying process of the stainless steel food boxes of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
A collage photo of several workers posing at the Kaliboto Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java.
Editor: Widodo S Jusuf
The caption is automatically translated by application. Click here for the Bahasa Indonesia version.
