BLITAR – Two kitchens supporting Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in Blitar City have temporarily stopped operating due to internal management problems, forcing authorities to redirect food distribution to other service units.
The affected Nutrition Support Service Unit (SPPG) units operate in Sananwetan and Bendogerit districts. Both kitchens previously supplied meals for thousands of students under the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
Dindin Alinurdin, secretary of the Blitar City MBG Task Force, said the shutdown came from decisions made by each kitchen operator. He stressed that local authorities did not order the closures.
“The task force did not stop their operations. They temporarily halted services because of internal problems. Since the issue comes from the SPPG operators, we cannot intervene,” he said Monday.
Besides internal issues, local officials continue monitoring licensing and administrative requirements for all MBG service units in Blitar.
Dindin explained that every SPPG must complete operational permits and meet standards set by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Authorities may recommend temporary suspension if operators fail to meet the required conditions within the tolerance period.
“We continue evaluating all units. If operators fail to complete licensing requirements within the allowed period, we can coordinate temporary suspension measures. Our priority is food safety for children,” he said.
The temporary closure of the two kitchens affected meal distribution in several schools over recent weeks. Each SPPG unit can normally serve around 1,500 recipients.
As a result, about 3,000 students in Sananwetan and Bendogerit faced potential disruption to their meal services.
However, the task force quickly redirected affected schools to nearby kitchens with remaining capacity. Officials said the mitigation effort helped prevent interruptions in the nutrition program.
“We already transferred several schools to other SPPG units. If one kitchen stops operating, we redirect services to the nearest unit that can still accommodate recipients,” Dindin explained.
Authorities said 31 SPPG units currently operate across Blitar City. Meanwhile, several additional kitchens still await verification and approval from the National Nutrition Agency.
Dindin emphasized that the central government fully controls operational approval and verification processes for the meal service units.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program in Blitar targets around 60,000 beneficiaries. Recipients include preschool and school students, teachers, education workers, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
Local officials said they will continue supervising food quality and operational standards to ensure safe meal distribution throughout the city.