Student‘s Disappointment: Free School Meals Lack Nutritional Balance, Notably Missing Vegetables
Sidoarjo, Indonesia — Students participating in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program have expressed disappointment with the nutritional balance of the provided meals, notably the absence of vegetables.
Ar Robbyah, a student from SMA Muhammadiyah 2 Sidoarjo, was less than thrilled with the menu. "There were no vegetables, it was quite bland," he said after having his free meal at school on Monday, January 6, 2025. Robbyah also mentioned that the quantity was insufficient.
"The chicken was too bland and tough. The rice wasn’t enough for boys our age," he added. He also pointed out that the fruit (watermelon) was barely there, and the Milo was too little. "I hope tomorrow’s meal comes with more variety and quantity, especially vegetables and rice," he wished.
Sabila Putri, another student from the same school, echoed Robbyah’s concerns. "There were no vegetables," she said briefly. She also noted that the dishes were not balanced, with some boxes containing more food than others.
Despite the student’s complaints, Liesa Anggraeny, the school’s homeroom teacher, supports the MBG program. "It’s great for the students’ health. If they’re healthy, they can focus better on their studies," she said.
However, she understands the student’s sentiment and hopes that the future meals could be more balanced, including vegetables. "The meals provided today were five out of six healthy elements, but still not complete. There’s always room for improvement," she added.
Liesa hopes that the MBG program will continue for the students’ health and learning benefit.
Written by Ris, Saf, and Ipgana
