February 26, 2025 | 07:05 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Approaching the holy month of Ramadan 2025, the Head of the National Nutrition Body (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, ensured that the free nutritious meals program initiated by President Prabowo would continue.
He explained that they would make several changes to the nutritious free meals program. These changes are made in consideration of the Muslim students who will be fasting during the month.
Several changes that will be implemented will be applied uniformly in schools with a majority of Muslim students as well as schools with a minority of Muslim students. Here are several modifications to the nutritious free meals program during Ramadan as quoted from Antara news.
1. Changes in Distribution Mechanism
Dadan Hindayana stated that during the fasting month, the nutritious free meals program will still be implemented, but with a change in the distribution mechanism so that the food can be taken home.
"During Ramadan, it will still be carried out. So, if schools are open, the nutritious free meals program will still be carried out. But the mechanism will be different from regular days, where we will provide the nutritious meals to be taken home," Dadan said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday.
Regarding changes in the mechanism of the nutritious free meals program, it will apply to both Muslim and non-Muslim students. Dadang stated that they had previously received suggestions for areas with a majority of non-Muslims to continue providing food as usual during Ramadan. However, they decided to give equal treatment to all areas.
"We will evaluate it after a week, whether in non-Muslim areas, it would be the same as usual or be given special treatment," he said.
2. Types of Provided Meals
Dadan mentioned that during Ramadan, the allocation of nutritious free meals can be taken home by students who are fasting. He explained that there would be a change in the form of the provided nutritious free meals for the students. The food provided in the nutritious free meals program is designed to be long-lasting and not easily spoiled.
"So, the form of the meals will not be freshly cooked, but we will prepare nutritious foods that are also suitable for breaking the fast, such as milk, dates, and fruits," said Dadan Hindayana after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) in Jakarta, last Thursday.
3. Packaging Innovations
Another difference in the nutritious free meals program during the fasting month is the innovation so that the nutritious free meals can be easily taken home by students. The innovation is by using bags. The old bags will be exchanged for new ones the next day to get the meals.
4. Service Units for Islamic Boarding Schools will Be Available at Each School
Regarding the upcoming Ramadan, Dadan Hindayana stated that one of the changes made to accommodate fasting students is that the nutritious free meals service units at Islamic boarding schools will be available at each school. This is done so that the school can prepare the food close to iftar time.
The nutritious free meals program in Ramadan 2025 will be the first implementation of free nutritious meals during Ramadan. Dadan hopes that with the continuation of the nutritious free meals program during Ramadan, it can educate parents to provide fresh and balanced meals for their children. He also urges parents not to provide excessive sugar intake to their children during Ramadan.
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