Indonesia, April 17 -- Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan has urged Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, known as SPPG, or Free Nutritious Meals program kitchens, to source ingredients from villages to help accelerate local economic growth.

"SPPGs must procure goods from villages, whether from village-owned enterprises, village cooperatives, or micro, small, and medium enterprises," he said during a working visit on Friday.

He said the policy aims to create a mutually reinforcing economic chain.

According to him, the free meals program not only improves children's health but also supports the growth of village enterprises and advances food sovereignty.

"Village enterprises work together, so the village economy grows...