National

MBG Buffet System: Students Allowed Extra Servings

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 17, 2026•2 min read

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is piloting a buffet-style serving system for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program: students may take extra servings after everyone receives their initial nutrition-standard portion. Sixty-two kitchens have joined the pilot, with a target of up to 5,000 kitchens by end of 2026.

Key Facts

BGN is piloting a buffet serving system for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program; students may take extra servings after everyone gets their initial nutrition-standard portion.
Food is delivered warm from kitchens directly to classrooms without delay, at a minimum temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.
Budget unchanged: IDR 15,000 per portion multiplied by student count; a strict rule says extra servings must not reduce other students' rights.
BGN recorded 62 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) joining the pilot as of October 13, 2026; the trial ran October 5-16, 2026.
If evaluation finds no significant obstacles, BGN targets 1,000 to 5,000 kitchens adopting the buffet method by end of 2026, gradually and with mandatory training.
The pilot spans Java, Merauke, Madura Island, Riau, Aceh, Palembang, and remote 3T regions; one pilot site is SDN Soprayan in Turi, Sleman. The system addresses stale food issues suspected in earlier MBG poisoning cases and reduces food waste.

Students May Take More, Initial Portions Stay Measured

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is piloting a buffet-style serving system in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Under this system, each student still receives an initial portion measured to nutrition standards. Only after every student has their share may those who want more take extra servings.

BGN head Sudaryono said food is brought warm from the kitchen directly to classrooms without delay, at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius. After all students have their initial portions, students may add more food to their trays.

The budget is unchanged: still IDR 15,000 per portion times the number of students. According to Sudaryono, the real concern has been food waste — a small fifth-grader and a large one currently get identical portions. The buffet system lets each child adjust to their body's needs.

62 Kitchens in Pilot, 5,000 Target

BGN recorded 62 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across Indonesia joining the MBG buffet pilot as of October 13, 2026. The trial ran for two weeks starting October 5, 2026.

If implementation faces no significant obstacles, BGN targets 1,000 to 5,000 kitchens adopting the buffet method by end of 2026. Sudaryono emphasized rollout will be gradual and kitchens must undergo training first.

Answering Stale Food and Waste Problems

The buffet system is seen as an answer to the stale food problem. Several earlier MBG poisoning cases were suspected to stem from food going stale due to overly long distribution gaps between cooking and serving.

An example was seen at SDN Soprayan, Turi, Sleman — one of the trial sites on October 5-16, 2026. There, students serve their own rice and vegetable portions, significantly reducing leftovers. The warm, direct-to-classroom flow also keeps food fresh and safe.