Southwest Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) — For Vincencia Toma, a resident of Radamata Village in Kota Tambulaka District, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has brought real change to her daily life. A pregnant mother with a four-year-old child, Vincencia said she has personally felt the benefits of the MBG program since it was launched in her area — her child included.

“We used to have just whatever we could find for breakfast. Now, since MBG started, my child finishes every meal,” Vincencia said when met at the local Posyandu (integrated health post) earlier this week.

She has received free meals for the past nine days as part of the MBG program’s target recipients. Based on her experience, the meals served are tasty and help improve her child’s nutrition. “The food tastes good. It’s just that sometimes the vegetables are a bit dry, so my child struggles a little with those. But overall, it really helps,” she said.

Beyond taste, Vincencia noted that MBG has changed her family’s eating habits. Previously, she had to cook meals herself and divide the food stock between breakfast and dinner. Now, she feels the program has eased that burden. “It’s easier to manage now — we get food from MBG in the morning, so we can save the rest for dinner,” she explained.

Now nine months pregnant, Vincencia is one of hundreds of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who benefit directly from the MBG nutrition service kitchens. She believes the presence of these kitchens in her village reflects the government’s genuine concern for rural mothers and children.

“We never had free food like this before. Now, kids can eat meals with enough protein and variety,” she shared.

She hopes the program continues for the long term and isn’t just temporary. “I really hope this program keeps going,” Vincencia said.

The MBG program in Southwest Sumba is managed by the Tambolaka Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi or SPPG), which provides meals to schools and health posts — including for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. By using locally sourced ingredients and carefully measured nutrition, the program aims to offer a tangible solution to improving community health and reducing stunting rates in the region.