As part of its support for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program, IFSR has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ajinomoto Indonesia on educational activities on nutritious meals. In attendance were PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA President Director Naoto Minemura (left), IFSR Executive Director Glory Harimas Sihombing (right) and BGN expert team member Prof. Dr. Epi Taufik, S.Pt.,M.V.P.H.,M.Si. (center).
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian Food Security Review Foundation (IFSR) and PT Ajinomoto Indonesia (Ajinomoto).
The signing, held on June 25 at GHS House Expert Council Hall in South Jakarta, was carried out as a form of support for the government’s program of Free Nutritious Meal (MBG).
Through the collaboration, Ajinomoto and IFSR will carry out a series of activities that have four main focuses. The first is nutritional literacy for students and parents in beneficiary schools. The second is a simple evaluation to measure the real impact of the program. The third focuses on education to improve cooking skills and understanding of healthy menus for kitchen teams in six nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG). Meanwhile, the fourth focus is on presenting menu plans and practical cooking modules to support the implementation of balanced nutrition. This collaboration not only serves delicious and healthy food, but also builds sustainable nutritious eating habits.
In the event, Naoto Minemura, President Director of Ajinomoto, said that Ajinomoto Indonesia Group had a goal that was in line with the MBG program.
“We, the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group have a goal: Empowering the sustainable well-being of all human-beings, our society and our planet with ‘AminoScience’. The Ajinomoto Health Provider initiative is our initiative to realize Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value [ASV] where in every business activity, in addition to answering consumer needs, it can also be a solution to existing social problems. Therefore, today is an important moment in the efforts of Ajinomoto Health Provider to contribute to the health and well-being of the society, especially the younger generation, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between IFSR and Ajinomoto,” said Minemura.
“In the early stages of this collaboration, we’ll support six SPPGs in various cities in Indonesia as a pilot program. We want to fully support so that the food served to children is nutritious, healthy and of course delicious. On this occasion, we also express our appreciation for the presence of representatives from the National Nutrition Agency who witnessed this signing. Their presence is a strong symbol of cross-sector synergy, between the government, social organizations and the business world, in supporting national strategic programs. Ajinomoto believes that this collaboration is not just a short-term project, but the beginning of a sustainable collaboration that will have a real impact on the future of nutrition for Indonesian children,” he added.
During the same occasion, Glory Harimas Sihombing, chairperson of the Indonesia Food Security Review (IFSR) Foundation expressed his appreciation for the presence of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group in this program.
"Amid various challenges and debates, we choose to remain focused on what is truly important: ensuring that Indonesian children receive proper nutritional intake, and their parents receive proper education about healthy and nutritious eating patterns. This collaboration is not just about logistics or technical training. It is about hope. The hope that every child, regardless of their background, can grow up smart and healthy. That the SPPG kitchens can be a place where change begins. That one plate of nutritious food can change the way families view nutrition and health," he said, adding that the success of the program would be much greater if cross-sector collaboration continued to be strengthened.
"Because the impact is not only limited to the SPPG environment, but also spreads to homes, classrooms, the hearts of parents and even into the way we view the future of the nation's nutrition," Glory concluded.
To find out more information about the products, services, and efforts of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group through the Ajinomoto Health Provider initiative, the public can visit the Ajinomoto Indonesia website (https://www.ajinomoto.co.id/id)