TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Free Nutritious Meal program trial from August 5 to 9, 2024, in Tangerang, Banten, will target 20,157 students from elementary to secondary schools.

Tangerang city regional secretary Herman Suwarman said on Saturday, July 13, 2024, that the city government is coordinating with schools that will participate in the program trial.

The city administration will also select 20 schools as the places for the program's realization, he added.

"We hope that the trial project in Tangerang city can run smoothly, and be able to be adopted nationally," he said.

Tangerang city and Cilegon city in Banten have been selected as the places for the free meal program trial.

Tangerang city has planned strategic steps as part of preparations for the program's implementation, including the budget and distribution.

"We are committed to make this pilot project successful; various preparations have been implemented, starting from the budgeting mechanism, implementation, and distribution, before it being realized in early August (2024), in accordance with the timeline," Suwarman said.

Meanwhile, the acting mayor of Tangerang, Nurdin, discussed the free meal program during a meeting with the National Resilience Council (Wantannas) in Jakarta.

The free meal program has been initiated by President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

He said that the pilot project in Tangerang is expected to become a model nationally, starting from the selection of schools, logistics preparation, and distribution mechanisms, to the lunch menu.

Special staff to the secretary general of Wantannas, Taviota Bay, praised the Tangerang city government for its readiness to support the free meal pilot project.

"The design for the free meal packaging and milk is very good and attractive for children. This can be input for all of us," Bay said.

ANTARA

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