Politics · Indonesia · 9 hrs ago
Buffet-Style School Meal Trial in Mataram Left Almost No Food Waste
Mataram officials tested buffet-style school meals at SD Al Iqro in Mataram, Indonesia, from October 19 to 21, 2026.
The trial involved 64 sixth-grade students and three teachers.
It was part of the MBG food distribution program, and students served themselves portions that matched their needs.
Officials said almost no food was left over, which they linked to students taking and finishing suitable portions.
They also said the meals stayed warm and fresh, while serving themselves encouraged handwashing and orderly queues.
The local nutrition agency hopes the results will help guide meal distribution in Mataram and nearby areas.
The findings have been sent to agency leaders, who will decide whether the buffet system becomes permanent.
A buffet-style trial of Indonesia’s MBG school meal program in Mataram left almost no food waste, according to a local official.
The trial ran from October 19 to 21, 2026, at SD Al Iqro Mataram.
It served 64 sixth-grade students and three accompanying teachers.
Officials said students chose portions suited to their needs and ate the food, while serving it fresh and warm improved its appeal.
The local office said the trial’s positive evaluation had been reported to its leaders, who will decide whether to make the approach permanent.
- Who
- The Mataram office of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) conducted the trial for 64 sixth-grade students and three teachers.
- What
- It tested distributing MBG meals buffet-style.
- When
- October 19–21, 2026.
- Where
- SD Al Iqro Mataram, in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia.
- Why
- To assess the buffet-style distribution method and its potential to strengthen the program’s management and delivery.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The buffet-style MBG distribution trial took place at SD Al Iqro Mataram.
CNN Indonesia reported the trial’s evaluation and said the results had been reported to agency leaders.
- Trial dates
- October 19–21, 2026
- School
- SD Al Iqro Mataram
- Student participants
- 64 sixth-grade students
- Teacher participants
- 3 accompanying teachers
- Food waste
- Almost none was left from the portions served
What people are saying
The buffet-style food service not only maintains the nutritional quality and warmth of the dishes, but also builds a culture of cleanliness and order in the school environment.
Students take and eat the dishes until they are finished, according to their individual portions and needs.
We are waiting for the leaders’ policy, and are ready to implement it.