Jakarta - In order to improve the quality of human resources involved in the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchen, the MBG Gotong Royong Kadin Indonesia Task Force signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT Aerofood Indonesia (ACS).

The MoU was signed by the Head of the Kadin Indonesia Gotong Royong MBG Task Force, Chandra Tirta Wijaya, and the Acting President Director of ACS, Yanti Herlina Siregar, at the Kadin Indonesia Tower on Monday (20/10/2025). The event was attended by the Deputy Chair of the Papua Region of Kadin Indonesia, Syahrir Hasan Latief, the Chair of Kadin West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB), Faurani, and the Regional Coordinator of the Kadin Indonesia MBG Gotong Royong Task Force, Desi Ariyanti.

Chandra said that this MoU is the initial foundation for preparing a sharing session to improve the knowledge, skills, competence, and professionalism of participants in the field of food quality and safety supervision, as well as to encourage business partnerships.

"The involvement of Kadin and ACS is expected to have better standards. The quality of human resource education in the kitchen is still relatively weak. Since the Task Force (MBG Gotong Royong Kadin Indonesia) was first established, it immediately visited ACS as it could become a strategic partner. So far, the collaboration has not been detailed. However, the concrete collaboration will involve training and workshops," explained Chandra.

He said that MBG affects food supply and prices. ‘Food prices are rising and supplies are starting to be absorbed, but this situation may be good for farmers and producers. The government is expected to seize opportunities in situations like this,’ he said.

Kadin, said Chandra, has a broad scale, some have kitchens, suppliers of ingredients, distributors and logistics. ‘MBG will reach 38 million individuals per day. Currently, there are 12,000 MBG kitchens, then there will be 12,000 more, plus 6,000 to 8,000 in remote areas’.

Chandra said that recently his party had reviewed the MBG network in Papua, as well as in several other areas. ‘Each of them can develop existing kitchens, with a lot of help from ACS in Jakarta, Bali, East Kalimantan, Makassar and Bali, which actively coordinate with MBG kitchens.’

Acting Director of ACS, Yanti Herlina Siregar, expressed her readiness to collaborate with the Kadin MBG Task Force through various sharing sessions, seminars and workshops.

"We view this collaboration as an important foundation and a shared commitment to strengthening food quality and safety standards in Indonesia. As a catering provider with five decades of experience, celebrating its 51st anniversary on 23 December 2025, Aerofood ACS Indonesia has a moral responsibility to help ensure that food quality and safety in Indonesia continues to improve. We are ready to share our expertise and resources so that more professionals in this industry will be able to compete globally," said Yanti.

According to her, this collaboration is in line with the Government's MBG programme. A movement that not only promotes the health of the younger generation, but also encourages the growth of a food industry value chain that is safe, nutritious, and competitive.

‘We believe that today's steps are part of a long journey towards Indonesia Emas 2045. Where cross-sector collaboration between industry and organisations such as Kadin will be an important driver for the nation's progress,’ said Yanti.

According to her, this synergy is a concrete step towards strengthening the food industry ecosystem while also aiming for an Indonesian food industry that excels in quality, is strong in collaboration, and provides added value for society and the national economy.

‘This synergy is a tangible contribution towards a healthier and more competitive Indonesia in the future,’ she concluded.