Strategi Mengurangi Plate Waste untuk Meningkatkan Efektivitas Program Makan Bergizi Gratis

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is one of Indonesia’s priority flagship initiatives with broad expected impacts, including improving children’s nutritional status, reducing stunting, and strengthening local economic activity. However, a major implementation challenge in school feeding programs is the occurrence of plate waste, defined as uneaten food that is ultimately discarded by beneficiaries. With an estimated daily budget of approximately IDR 1.2 trillion, a plate waste rate of 30 percent could result in potential losses of IDR 360 billion per day, or approximately IDR 75.6 trillion annually. This issue highlights the urgency of addressing plate waste systematically to ensure program effectiveness and fiscal efficiency. This study employs a qualitative research design using a literature review approach to examine, evaluate, and synthesize empirical findings and theoretical insights related to plate waste in school meal programs. The review indicates that program benefits have not been fully optimized due to several implementation constraints, including low menu acceptability, portion-size mismatch, limited and poorly scheduled eating time, and the weak involvement of teachers in supervision and behavioral role modeling. Accordingly, reducing plate waste should be positioned as an integral policy agenda within MBG implementation. Key strategic measures include developing child-friendly and adaptive menu designs, aligning portion sizes with children’s consumption capacity, optimizing meal timing and recess duration, and strengthening the role of teachers as key agents in shaping healthy eating behavior. These improvements are essential to enhance program effectiveness and minimize plate waste.