PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government affirmed its commitment to supporting nutritious food programs to improve public health, especially for vulnerable groups. This commitment was conveyed at the House of Representatives' (DPR RI) Community Aspiration Agency (BAM) Aspiration Festival, themed "From the Kitchen to the Future," at the Wibawa Mukti Building on Monday (April 20, 2026).

The statement of support was delivered in a speech by the Acting Regent of Bekasi, Dr. Asep Surya Atmaja, read by Regional Secretary Endin Samsudin. The local government believes that ensuring nutritional needs, starting in the kitchen, is a crucial foundation for building a healthy and high-quality generation.

"The theme reflects the importance of fulfilling nutritional needs as a foundation for shaping a healthy, intelligent, and superior future generation," said Endin.

With a population of around 3.5 million people spread across 23 sub-districts, 8 sub-districts, and 179 villages, Bekasi Regency faces major challenges in fulfilling nutritional needs, especially for children, pregnant women, and toddlers.

Data as of April 19, 2026, shows that the free nutritious meal program has reached 453,594 children from preschool, elementary, and junior high school levels. The program also targets 10,370 pregnant women and 19,891 breastfeeding mothers as part of interventions during the first thousand days of life.

Institutionally, 282 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) have been established in 23 sub-districts and 90 villages. Ninety-two of these have received hygiene and sanitation standards (SLHS) certification. To date, no extraordinary incidents of food poisoning have been recorded.

However, the local government acknowledged that several obstacles remain, such as the uneven distribution of SPPG certification, the efficiency of the raw material supply chain, and suboptimal food waste management.

"We believe it's necessary to accelerate the development of a legal framework for food governance and supply chains so that this program can run more integratedly," Endin said.

Going forward, the Bekasi Regency Government is promoting the strengthening of local ecosystems by involving farmers, livestock breeders, MSMEs, and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) in the food supply chain. Strengthening data-driven systems is also considered crucial to ensure targeted and sustainable programs.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives and BAM of the Indonesian House of Representatives, H. Obon Tabroni, said that the Aspiration Festival was a space to absorb public input regarding the National Nutrition Agency program.

"This forum is important for accommodating suggestions and criticisms for future program improvements," he said.

This activity is expected to strengthen the synergy between the central and regional governments and stakeholders in supporting the realization of a healthy and quality generation towards Golden Indonesia 2045. (Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/rka)