Local Governance of Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal Program

A Qualitative Analysis of Islamic Justice in Mudik Village

Abstract

This qualitative single-case study examines the local governance of Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program in Mudik Village through distributive, procedural, and social justice, interpreted using Al-Māwardī’s principles of al-‘adl, amanah, and maslahah. Data were obtained from five purposively selected informants, field observation, and local program documents during 15 Februari–30 Maret 2025. Data were analyzed through data reduction, thematic display, and interpretive comparison across sources and techniques. The available local record listed 171 recipients, comprising 152 toddlers and 19 breastfeeding mothers; however, it did not separately report pregnant women, and the village population figure in the draft was inconsistent. Informants described gaps in beneficiary updating, access to information, distribution timing, and the accessibility of centralized collection at the village hall. Recipient accounts indicated that the meals supported access to prepared food and could reduce food expenditure on distribution days, but the study did not measure nutritional outcomes, household economic impact, or program effectiveness. The study concludes that the local implementation shows administrative effort and perceived practical value, while fair implementation requires verifiable beneficiary data, accessible communication, correction and complaint mechanisms, and distribution arrangements responsive to recipient conditions. The findings are contextual because they are based on one village and five informants.