<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the role of local community empowerment in strengthening regional food security based on local potential through the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews, observation, and documentation as data collection techniques. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, while community empowerment was examined through Suharto’s five dimensions: enabling, empowering, protecting, supporting, and maintaining. The findings indicate that Polewali Mandar possesses substantial local food resources from the agricultural, fisheries, livestock, and horticultural sectors that can support the implementation of the MBG Program. However, community participation in the local food supply chain remains limited by inadequate access to information, restricted production capacity, weak institutional support, and underdeveloped market mechanisms. These constraints reduce the potential contribution of local communities to a more inclusive and sustainable food system. The MBG Program has the potential to function not only as a nutritional intervention but also as an instrument for strengthening local economic capacity and regional food security. Its effectiveness requires integrated community empowerment strategies that connect local food production, institutional support, market access, and community participation.]]>
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