Bali disburses Rp1.3 trillion for free nutritious meals

In brief: By October 2026, Indonesia had disbursed Rp1.3 trillion to 277 meal service centres in Bali under its free nutritious meals programme. The spending figure shows the scale of operations across the province, but does not establish whether meals are available at any particular school.

Bali's regional treasury chief, Supendi, disclosed the figures in Denpasar on 12 October, according to ANTARA. The programme, known in Indonesia as Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), provides meals through dedicated preparation and distribution centres rather than making payments to households.

Funding covers preparation, staff and distribution

The Rp1.3 trillion reported for October was channelled to 277 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG), or nutrition service units. These centres organise kitchens, prepare food and deliver meals to eligible groups. The amount reflects programme expenditure, not cash assistance paid to parents.

The treasury also reported a 2025 total of Rp517.8 billion across 175 service centres. Although the amount reported by October 2026 exceeds that full-year figure, the reporting periods differ. Comparing the two totals does not, on its own, establish a like-for-like increase in spending or meals served.

According to the official's account, most ingredients are sourced within Bali, while some items, including chicken and eggs, come from elsewhere. The programme therefore creates purchasing and distribution activity beyond the school premises, though these figures do not measure the financial benefit to local suppliers.

The reach is substantial, but school participation needs checking

ANTARA cited treasury figures showing 618,390 beneficiaries as of 15 September 2026. Primary-school pupils accounted for 40.14% of the total, lower-secondary students for 22.16%, and upper-secondary students for 17%. Other recipients included kindergarten children, young children outside early-childhood education, expectant and nursing mothers, and additional eligible groups.

Buleleng regency accounted for 107,673 recipients, while Denpasar recorded 106,223. There is an important limitation to the timeline: a regional treasury release published on 8 September had already reported the same province-wide total of 618,390 as of 18 August. The available releases do not therefore establish how much coverage grew between those dates.

For parents considering a move to Bali, the provincial headline is only a starting point. On 13 October, Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency said beneficiary records depend on accurate school enrolment data and may be adjusted when records do not match. Families should ask their chosen school whether it participates, which year groups are served and how regularly meals are provided. This is particularly relevant when evaluating a private or international school, whose participation cannot be inferred from province-wide totals.

• Bali Regional Office of Indonesia's Directorate General of Treasury, “Press Release: Realisasi APBN di Provinsi Bali s.d. 31 Juli 2026” — published 8 September 2026; programme beneficiary figures as of 18 August.
• Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN), “Kepala BGN Sudaryono Tegaskan MBG Harus Tepat Sasaran, Data Siswa Jadi Penentu” — 13 October 2026.