Jakarta, Feb. 24 -- Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has emphasized the importance of diversifying suppliers of ingredients for food under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to stimulate broad economic impacts and promote menu variations.

BGN Deputy Head for Communication and Investigation Nanik S. Deyang said MBG kitchens, officially known as nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG), are required to involve and empower local farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, cooperatives, and small businesses as MBG suppliers.

"SPPGs must not procure ingredients only from one, two, or three suppliers. It would be even worse if these suppliers are basically mere extensions of those running the kitchens," she noted in a statement ...