Jakarta, June 16 -- Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has said that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has so far covered 4.97 million beneficiaries in 38 provinces across Indonesia.

Hindayana reported in Jakarta on Monday that the number of nutritional fulfillment service units (SPPGs), which provide food for the program, has reached 1,785.

He further said that the SPPGs are supporting poverty reduction by employing approximately 68 thousand workers, more than 60 percent of whom are women aged 30 to 50 years.

"Those who were previously housewives and had no income can now earn at least Rp2 million (approximately US$122.79) per month. Thus, we have helped to eradicate extreme poverty with the MBG progra...