Jepara, March 10 -- Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan claimed that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program had reached about 97 percent of mainstream, non-religious junior and senior high schools since its launch in January 2025.

"This initiative has brought joy to all. Children are delighted to receive nutritious meals, and high school students have warmly welcomed the MBG program," he remarked on Tuesday during a visit to Jepara, Central Java, to review implementation at several high schools.

Hasan highlighted that although the program's coverage has neared 100 percent among mainstream education schools, the same trend has yet to extend to religious institutions such as Islamic schools.

The minister attributed the...