Boarding Islamic schools over 1,000 may run MBG kitchens
Smaller pesantren will be served by the nearest kitchen, while independent kitchens must meet SPPG and SLHS standards.
The government is allowing boarding pesantren and faith-based schools with more than 1,000 santri or students to run their own kitchens for the Program Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG). The decision was taken at a limited coordination meeting in Jakarta on Thursday to speed MBG distribution at large boarding institutions. Minister of Food Affairs Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan said kitchens in pesantren environments must still follow Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) standards and hold a Sertifikat Laik Higiene Sanitasi (SLHS). For pesantren with fewer than 1,000 santri, service will be handled by the nearest SPPG to make implementation more efficient. Kepala Badan Gizi Nasional Sudaryono added that the government will inspect prospective kitchens and stressed that the entire process will run through the official system.