Holiday Ayo - 

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, emphasized the need for active involvement from Heads of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in providing nutrition education at schools participating in the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG).

According to Nanik, SPPG Heads are expected not only to carry out technical responsibilities but also to serve as educators by working closely with teachers to help students understand the importance of consuming nutritious food for healthy growth and development.

She added that nutrition education should also be extended to broader community groups. SPPG units are encouraged to collaborate with community health center personnel, posyandu cadres, and members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) to provide outreach and counseling to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

Nanik also expressed appreciation for the creativity demonstrated by SPPG Heads, accountants, nutritionists, partners, and kitchen volunteers in delivering nutrition messages in engaging ways. Several innovations have been considered effective in increasing children’s interest, ranging from the use of popular character costumes during meal delivery, the provision of additional healthy snacks, to small rewards aimed at encouraging vegetable consumption.

One such innovation highlighted was the use of Power Rangers costumes by MBG meal delivery personnel to capture students’ attention and enthusiasm.

Furthermore, Nanik stressed the importance of public communication skills for SPPG Heads, accountants, and nutritionists. They are expected to be capable of clearly conveying the urgency and benefits of the MBG Program across various forums—from schools and PKK gatherings to neighborhood and village-level meetings—so that the program is widely understood by the public.