Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency said local nutrition service units play a crucial role in shaping public perception of the government’s Free Nutritious Meals program, stressing the importance of clear and coordinated communication as the initiative expands nationwide.
The agency said the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, known as SPPG, serve as the program’s frontline at the community level and act as the main point of contact between the government and beneficiaries.
Khairul Hidayati, head of the agency’s legal and public relations bureau, said effective public communication is essential to ensure the program is properly understood and supported by the public.
She said sound information management is key to maintaining the legitimacy of the policy while strengthening public trust in the Free Nutritious Meals program, known locally as MBG.
“SPPG units are the front line as well as the representation of the MBG program in the community. What people see and experience from SPPG activities will shape public perception of the program as a whole,” Hidayati said in a statement on Sunday.
She said the program is one of the government’s strategic efforts to improve the nutritional status of schoolchildren and other vulnerable groups across Indonesia.
As a nationwide initiative involving multiple stakeholders, the program also carries the potential for operational challenges that could influence public perception if not managed properly.
To address this, the agency has been providing continuous training to SPPG units on structured and systematic communication strategies.
The training covers the preparation of fact-based messages aligned with regulations, selection of communication channels suited to different audiences, segmentation of target groups and evaluation of information delivery.
Hidayati said communication planning is essential to ensure consistent messaging as the program expands across different regions.
She added that a rapid and coordinated communication response is particularly important when issues arise during program implementation.
According to her, the first 24 to 48 hours after an issue emerges are often critical in shaping public perception.
“Good communication is not only about conveying information, but also about maintaining public trust,” Hidayati said.
“A quick, factual and well-coordinated response is key to ensuring issues can be managed properly and do not escalate into a communication crisis,” she added.
