TATA KELOLA KELEMBAGAAN PROGRAM MAKAN BERGIZI GRATIS DI KABUPATEN SUMBAWA (Studi Kasus: Program Makan Bergizi Gratis di Kecamatan Empang)

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) is one of the government's strategic policies aimed at improving community nutrition, particularly among students, while supporting the development of quality human resources. The success of this program depends heavily on institutional governance involving local government, relevant agencies, schools, and MBG kitchen managers. This study analyzes the institutional governance of the MBG Program in Sumbawa Regency and evaluates the effectiveness of its distribution at the sub-district level. A descriptive qualitative method with a case-study approach was employed. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving relevant agencies, school representatives, kitchen staff, and beneficiary communities, then analyzed thematically to identify patterns of coordination, resources, organizational structure, and distribution practices. The findings show that institutional governance of the MBG Program has been implemented through inter-agency coordination and supportive regulation, although challenges remain, including limited human resources, suboptimal coordination, insufficient supervision, and limited public understanding of the program's long-term objectives. Distribution at the sub-district level has generally been carried out, but challenges persist regarding consistency of standard operating procedures, food safety, and monitoring effectiveness. Overall, institutional governance of the MBG Program has functioned relatively well, though further strengthening of its regulative, normative, and cognitive pillars is needed for more effective, sustainable, and accurately targeted implementation.