Implementasi Program Makan Bergizi Gratis dalam Mendukung Kesehatan dan Kesiapan Belajar Anak Usia Dini

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is a government initiative aimed at improving nutritional intake among young children to support their health and learning readiness. This study aims to describe the implementation of the MBG program, children’s responses to the provided menus, and their health conditions during the program at an early childhood education institution. A qualitative research approach was employed, using observation and interviews with teachers as the primary data collection techniques. The findings indicate that approximately 80% of children consumed the meals provided through the MBG program, although some children showed reluctance toward certain menus due to mild flavors or limited variation in side dishes. The menus were predominantly composed of protein sources such as chicken, eggs, tofu, and tempeh, while vegetable variety remained limited. No significant changes in children’s health conditions were identified during the one-month implementation period, as the children’s health status was generally good prior to the program and the duration of implementation was relatively short. Nevertheless, the MBG program contributed to increasing daily nutritional intake, fostering healthy eating habits, and supporting children’s readiness to engage in learning activities. This study provides preliminary insights into the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program in early childhood education settings and may serve as a foundation for developing more varied and balanced menus, as well as for future research examining the long-term impacts of free nutritious meal programs on children’s health and development.