Evaluation of the Free Meal Policy: Solution or Challenge in Poverty Alleviation?

Abstract

The free meal program in Indonesia was initiated as an effort to address the issues of stunting and poverty, especially among children and vulnerable groups. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy through a normative approach and international comparison, with examining the applicable regulations and comparing the implementation in the United States and Japan. The analysis results show that although this policy is capable of improving access to nutritious food, great challenges are still faced in terms of distribution, funding, and management, especially in remote area. In addition, incidents such as food poisoning cases and infrastructure gaps show that the readiness for implementation still needs to be improved. This study suggests the need to strengthen community-based distribution systems, integrate nutrition education, and collaborate cross-sector collaboration to support program sustainability. With a more comprehensive approach and based on local values, the free meal policy is expected to be more effective in improving the quality of nutrition and the welfare of the Indonesian people.