Jakarta. Public kitchens in Solo recently held a showcase of their government-aided meals at the city's car-free day event in Loji Gandrung, the mayor's official residence.

Indonesia has been carrying out a nationwide free meal program targeting schoolchildren since the beginning of the year as the government wants to improve the population's nutritional intake. On Sunday, 13 Solo-based public kitchens, locally known by their acronyms SPPGs, teamed up to let locals try the dishes that they usually serve at schools.

The kitchens prepared a total of 1,300 portions. The showcase attracted a huge crowd of people. They only needed to get a coupon that could be exchanged for the meals.

Solo Mayor Respati Ardi said the school-feeding program was not only about giving kids free meals. However, it is an initiative that aims to ensure that children have access to adequate nutrition.

"This free nutritious meal is not just about food, but about nutritional adequacy. Every citizen has the right to nutritious food," said Respati.

Fathurahman was one of the many locals who got to try out the free meal at the event.

"I'm happy to be able to taste it. I think the children also enjoyed it. I hope the free meal program will continue to meet the nutritional needs of children so they become smart and healthy," he said.

This event not only let people have a taste of the free meals, but it also gave them a chance to learn the quality of the ingredients and nutritional content served in schools.

Khairul Hidayati, the spokesperson at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), also welcomed the showcase.

"What a great idea. This showcase can help us educate the public on the program. It also allows people to not only taste the meals, but also ask the SPPG officers directly. We are grateful to the local government and the SPPG involved for organizing this activity. We hope this kind of activity can be adopted in other areas," Hidayati said.

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