Surabaya Regional ToT Builds Facilitator Capacity for the Free Nutritious Meals Programme

To support stronger implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, regional training of trainers (ToT) was held on 17–19 November 2025. The activity involved 39 participants from Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur and Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY).

The Surabaya Regional ToT was part of efforts to strengthen regional facilitators’ capacity for more standardised, integrated and sustainable MBG delivery. Participants deepened their understanding of the materials and developed the facilitation skills needed to support further training in their regions.

Participants represented regional coordinators of Badan Gizi Nasional, provincial health offices, provincial education offices, Pusat Pengendalian Lingkungan Hidup, Balai Besar POM, Loka POM, regional offices of Kementerian Agama, Badan Pengendali Mutu Pendidikan (BPMP), regional branches of PERSAGI, and academics from UNUSA. This participation demonstrates the importance of cross-sector collaboration for successful regional implementation.

Participants strengthened their understanding of three main modules: Nutrition Standards and Food Safety for Food Handlers at Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG), Training Module on MBG Programme Implementation in Education Units, and Nutrition Education Module for the Free Nutritious Meals Programme in Education Units. These modules support comprehensive delivery, from providing safe and nutritious meals and implementing the programme in educational institutions to strengthening students’ nutrition education.

The training brought together facilitators from Kementerian Kesehatan, Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan, Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah and IPB University. Their varied institutional perspectives enriched the learning process and strengthened the content presented to participants.

Throughout the activity, participants attended presentations, discussions and in-depth module sessions to strengthen conceptual and technical understanding. In addition to learning the modules, they prepared to serve as regional facilitators who can communicate the materials effectively to local stakeholders.

The activity also emphasised cooperation between Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) and educational institutions in supporting MBG’s success. Building the capacity of food handlers, educators and other supporting personnel is an important part of delivering safe, high-quality food services that support nutrition learning in schools.

The Surabaya Regional ToT is expected to develop local facilitators with a comprehensive understanding of the materials and the ability to support MBG implementation in line with established standards. Regional delivery is thus expected to become more effective in supporting a healthy, intelligent and capable generation.

As part of strengthening the MBG implementation ecosystem, this activity was a strategic step towards building shared understanding, improving cross-sector coordination and encouraging sustainable programme delivery across regions.