Malang, East Java, Feb. 25 -- As many as 321 cooperatives are ready to contribute to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, according to Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi.

He underlined that the ministry has verified the readiness of the cooperatives.

"Based on our data, a total of 321 cooperatives have been verified and recognized as well-established business entities that are prepared to support the program," he told the media after visiting an Islamic junior high school and a vocational high school in Malang District, East Java, on Tuesday.

Setiadi further emphasized that cooperatives are central to the successful execution of the MBG program, which has been declared a priority initiative by President Prabowo Subianto and...