Overview of World's School Meal Program

Indonesia’s School Meal Program: Between Promise and Pitfalls

Indonesia’s free meal initiative has sparked both enthusiasm and controversy, from food poisoning incidents to food waste concerns, and a cost burden nearly double the global average (as a share of GDP).

Yet, school meal programs can work, as proven in Brazil and India, where proper planning, nutrition standards, and supply chain governance made them tools for education and equity.

If Indonesia intends to follow suit, clear criteria must be met: institutional coordination, nutrition oversight, sustainable budgeting, and local sourcing.

Mandala Consulting analyzes how these programs succeed abroad and how Indonesia can adapt global best practices to its own context.