<![CDATA[The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) through the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) is not only oriented toward fulfilling nutritional needs, but also has the potential to create new markets for local agricultural products. This article aims to conceptually analyze the role of SPPG kitchens as an instrument for empowering local farmers in Bireuen Regency through the absorption of agricultural products, expansion of market access, certainty of demand, strengthening of bargaining positions, strengthening of institutions, as well as opportunities to increase farmers’ income. The study uses a conceptual approach with a literature review method of national and international scientific articles, especially those published during the 2023–2026 period, as well as policy documents and statistical publications. The results of the study show that SPPG has the potential to create an institutional market because it requires food ingredients in relatively large, diverse, routine, and sustainable quantities. This condition can create certainty of demand, shorten marketing chains, and increase opportunities for the absorption of farmers’ production. However, the use of local products does not automatically result in empowerment. The economic benefits received by farmers are influenced by production capacity, continuity of supply, quality standards, logistics, farmer institutions, pricing and payment mechanisms, as well as farmers’ positions in the supply chain. Therefore, farmer empowerment through SPPG in Bireuen Regency requires mapping of local production, strengthening of farmer groups and cooperatives, integration of information on SPPG needs with production patterns, transparent procurement systems, as well as evaluation of the economic benefits actually received by farmers. This article emphasizes that the absorption of agricultural products can only be categorized as empowerment when it is accompanied by increased market access, bargaining position, business capacity, institutions, and farmers’ income.]]>
