Politics · Indonesia · 5 hrs ago
Indonesia Tests Buffet Service for Free School Meals Without Raising Costs
Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency is testing buffet-style service for its Free Nutritious Meals program in schools.
Students receive a standard meal portion first, including set amounts of rice and protein, and can take more if food is left after everyone has been served.
The agency says the change will not increase the budget, which is based on the number of students served.
The approach allows students with larger appetites to eat more and may help reduce food waste.
The system is being tested in several areas, including Java, Merauke, Aceh and Palembang, to identify issues such as delivery distances and staffing needs.
Expansion will happen gradually after evaluation, and schools and kitchens must register, receive training and show they are ready before adopting the buffet system.
Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency says buffet service for its free school meals will not increase the program’s budget.
Students will first receive portions that meet nutrition standards, then may take more if food remains.
The agency is testing the system in several regions and says schools and kitchens must be trained and ready before adopting it.
Expansion will be gradual and follow an evaluation of the trials.
The agency previously set a target of introducing buffet service at about 1,000 to 5,000 meal-service kitchens by the end of 2026.
- Who
- Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency, led by Sudaryono, is testing the system with schools and meal-service kitchens.
- What
- Buffet service is being tested for the free school meals program, with no increase to its budget.
- When
- The agency described the trials on October 16, 2026. It did not state when the trials began.
- Where
- Trials are taking place in several regions, including Java, Merauke, Aceh and Palembang.
- Why
- The system lets students take extra food if any remains after everyone has received an initial portion, and may help reduce food waste.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sudaryono said buffet service would keep the meal program’s budget unchanged.
The agency was testing the system in regions including Java, Merauke, Aceh and Palembang.
The agency’s previously stated target was to introduce buffet service at about 1,000 to 5,000 meal-service kitchens, in stages after evaluation.
- Cost per portion
- Rp15,000
- Initial portion
- Each student receives a portion meeting set nutrition standards before any remaining food is offered.
- Trial regions
- Java, Merauke, Aceh and Palembang
- Target kitchens
- About 1,000 to 5,000 by the end of 2026
What people are saying
I think the budget is the same, because we serve Rp15,000 per portion multiplied by the number of schoolchildren. But one student is different from another. Some have small bodies, some have large bodies, and of course their food portions differ.
Once everyone has finished, there is usually food left. So it is not exactly measured out.
We are not simply allowing buffet service freely; schools have to register with us, we train them first, and we make sure they are ready before they can start.