TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to deploy professional chefs to train cooks for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) or the Free Meal program. Minister of Creative Economy and Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya, stated that his ministry is partnering with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to support President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiative.

Riefky emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Creative Economy Ministry and BGN in strengthening the creative economy sector, particularly through cooking training and the development of menus using local ingredients. As part of this effort, he said, the ministry will assign professional chefs to train cooks.

"The Creative Economy Ministry is ready to collaborate with BGN in implementing the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), particularly in cooking training and the development of new menus using local ingredients," Riefky said during a meeting with BGN at its Jakarta headquarters on March 10.

He added that the ministry also supports various innovative and creative initiatives, including the national animation film industry. One example is the Jumbo animation, which could be integrated into the MBG program to raise public awareness of balanced nutrition.

Meanwhile, BGN chief Dadan Hindayana welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to enhance cooks' skills and improve the quality of locally sourced, nutritious meals. "This partnership provides an opportunity for cook training and new menu development using local ingredients, helping them create delicious and nutritious meals," he said.

Dadan also highlighted the importance of engaging the creative culinary industry to elevate the MBG program’s meal standards. In the near future, the partnership between the Creative Economy Ministry and BGN will materialize through cook training sessions and the development of the Jumbo animation, which will be linked to the Free Nutritious Meal Program.

Editor’s Choice: BGN Statement on KPK's Alleged Budget Cut for Free Nutritious Meals Program

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News