Headline: Sidoarjo’s Free School Meal Program FacesMounting Food Waste Challenge; Jatim Urged to Act
The newly launched free school meal program in Sidoarjo, Indonesia—known as the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program—has started generating a significant amount of food waste, raising concerns about proper waste management. The program, which aims to provide balanced nutrition to students, has begun producing food waste and spoilage that needs to be addressed promptly.
Wastage from the MBG program includes food loss and food waste. Food loss consists of perishable items like fruits, vegetables, or ingredients that have spoiled and must be discarded. These items are mainly generated in the kitchen facilities (SPPG) responsible for preparing the meals. Food waste, on the other hand, refers to prepared meals that are left uneaten due to not being fully consumed or not being to the students’ liking.
To manage and optimize the disposal of this organic waste, the Sidoarjo Dinas Lingkungan Hidup dan Kebersihan (DLHK) has involved local communities, including biokonversi maggot black soldier fly operators, 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) waste processing centers, and neighborhood bank sampah programs.
Bahrul Amiq, head of the Dinas LHK Sidoarjo, has assigned a specialized team to develop standardized procedures for managing MBG waste, starting from kitchen waste to leftover food. "We aim to handle all waste efficiently, ensuring that every bit has a beneficial use," he said.
Currently, two central kitchens are operating in Sidoarjo, serving seven schools. The waste generated from these SPPGs is collected daily by the DLHK’s appointed team and transported to nearby TPS 3R centers or given to local biokonversi operators for maggot production. Additionally, DLHK plans to explore turning the waste into poultry feed and collaborate with local communities to produce bebek (duck) and itik (duckling) feed.
Samos from schools also contribute to the waste, which is redirected to local TPS desa (village recycling centers) and neighborhood bank sampah programs. DLHK plans to host workshops in schools to educate staff and students about waste management, encouraging them to consume their meals fully and minimize waste.
Nanang Ichwan, a local biokonversi maggot black soldier fly operator, emphasizes the importance of segregating food waste immediately after it is generated. He suggests fermenting the food waste before feeding it to maggots or feeding it directly after separation. Nanang also stresses the need for DLHK to establish organic waste processing facilities to handle the large volume of waste generated by the MBG program, preventing it from being disposed of directly in final disposal sites.
Jawa Timur’s high food waste composition, at 51% compared to the national average of 39%, has raised concerns among authorities. Diaz Faisal Hendropriyono, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry, urges the provincial government to accelerate the completion of waste management facilities and secure central government support for waste management infrastructure and workforce development.
Adhy Karyono, the acting governor of Jatim, has pledged to collaborate with the provincial environmental department to address the growing food waste issue. Although his administration has previously coordinated with the province’s education department regarding MBG’s implementation, Karyono emphasizes the need for regular monitoring of the program’s waste management efforts.
The MBG program plays a crucial role in ensuring balanced nutrition for students, fostering a healthier generation. However, effective management of the waste generated by the program is equally important to maintain a sustainable environment and maximize the benefits for the community.
