Jakarta, Aug. 13 -- The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) stated that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is creating new economic opportunities for small businesses while fostering nutritional independence for children.

"Of the total MBG budget, 85 percent is allocated for sourcing kitchen ingredients-ranging from vegetables to livestock, fishery, and plantation products," Riza Damanik, Deputy for Micro Enterprises at the MSME Ministry, noted in a statement on Wednesday.

This presents a major opportunity for the country's 29 million food-sector MSMEs, especially those in rural areas, to grow and thrive, Damanik added.

To date, 6,435 MSMEs have been integrated into the MBG supply chain. Participants include fa...