Wamena – The Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for the Papua Highlands has confirmed that five kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) are currently operating optimally across the region.
These kitchens play a crucial role in supporting the nutritional needs of students in areas with challenging geographical conditions.
Head of the Papua Highlands SPPG Group, Wahyu Adi Pratama, said that four of the five operational MBG kitchens are located in Jayawijaya Regency, while the remaining one is in Yahukimo Regency. All kitchens are reported to be operating in accordance with the operational standards set by the National Nutrition Agency.
He explained that the MBG kitchen in Yahukimo Regency has been operating since January 2025 and is managed by the Baliem Bakti Papua Foundation. Meanwhile, the four kitchens in Jayawijaya are managed by several organizations, including the Kitong Bisa Foundation, the Yapis Foundation, and the Baliem Bhakti Papua Foundation, each with the capacity to produce thousands of nutritious meal packages daily.
The Free Nutritious Meals Program implemented through these kitchens has reached more than 1,000 beneficiaries from 18 educational institutions, ranging from early childhood education centers to senior high schools and vocational schools.
The program is expected to contribute to improved nutritional quality and overall health among students in the Papua Highlands.
SPPG Papua Highlands continues to strengthen coordination with local governments to expand the implementation of the MBG Program to other areas, ensuring that its benefits can be more evenly distributed, particularly among the younger generation in the region.
