Ponorogo, East Java (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy stated that the upcoming free nutritious lunch program should be a medium to teach schoolchildren about food diversity.
After participating in a hybrid corn harvest in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday, he suggested nasi jagung—a traditional corn-based staple food—as an alternative to rice in free lunch packages for children.
Effendy emphasized that children should be taught there are many sources of carbohydrates besides rice.
He said he will propose nasi jagung as a rice alternative to the next government, potentially led by Prabowo Subianto, whose free lunch program is one of their pledges.
Effendy also suggested that the next government empower local farmers to supply food for the free lunch program.
In this way, students will receive a diverse and nutritious lunch while the price per package remains within the Rp15,000 (around US$0.93) limit.
“We can add vegetables, vitamins, and other foods that way,” he remarked.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita earlier suggested sago as a rice alternative for the free lunch program.
He said on Monday that sago is an indigenous food that must be promoted to become as popular as rice as a staple food.
