Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) As An Effort To Enchance Community Wefare And Students Learning Motivation

Abstract

Indonesia, as the largest archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, faces challenges in economic development and improving the quality of humanresources, particularly in education and health. One strategic step taken by the government is through the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) aimed at school children to improve their nutritional status and enthusiasm for learning. Free meals are a program implemented by the government aimed at certain individuals or groups without charge. With the implementation of this free meal program, it is hoped that the community will be able to meet their nutritional needs. This free meal program is not only for students, but also for the elderly and people with disabilities. Funds obtained to run this free meal program come from various sources, including the central government, local governments, and evenfrom community social activities. In conducting this research, the author used a descriptive qualitative approach, to describe in detail and comprehensively the implementation, dynamics, and impact of the free meal program run by the Kediri Regency Government. Through this research, it is hoped to determine the extent of the free meal program's efficiency in efforts to improve community welfare. Research shows that the free meal program has had a positive impactand has succeeded in fulfilling nutritional needs for the elderly and people with disabilities, while raising public awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition in the diet. However, in practice, several obstacles were encountered, such as delays in food distribution, menus that did not meet nutritional needs, and a lack of coordination between implementing parties. Overall, the free meal program has contributed positively to improving public health.