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FEESBeyond Nutritional Provision: Exploring Food Acceptability and Implementation Challenges of the Free Nutritious Meal Program in Early Childhood Education
Abstract
The Free Nutritious Meal Program aims to improve children's nutritional status and support learning readiness through the provision of balanced meals in educational settings. This study analyzed the implementation of the MBG program in early childhood education, focusing on menu suitability and food acceptability among young children. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted at RA Assaadah, Tasikmalaya City, involving one teacher and two parents selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations and analyzed using data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing techniques. The findings revealed four major factors influencing children's acceptance of MBG meals: incompatibility between menus and children's eating habits, limited menu variety, cold food conditions, and unattractive food presentation. These factors reduced children's willingness to consume meals at school, causing some meals to be taken home rather than eaten. The study highlights that the effectiveness of school feeding programs depends not only on nutritional content but also on children's developmental characteristics and sensory preferences. Therefore, child-centered menu planning, greater menu diversity, and improved food presentation are recommended to enhance the effectiveness of the MBG program in supporting children's nutritional well-being and learning readiness.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jds.v3i2.101999
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