<![CDATA[Background: Food waste in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program may reduce students’ nutritional intake and the effectiveness of the program. Food acceptability and animal protein intake are important factors that may influence the amount of food wasted by students. Purpose: To determine the relationships between food acceptability, animal protein intake, and food waste among students participating in the Free Nutritious Meal Program at SD Negeri 3 Gedong Air. Method: A quantitative analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 48 students aged 10–12 years selected using simple random sampling. Food acceptability was assessed using an organoleptic questionnaire, animal protein intake was measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and food waste was assessed using the Comstock method. Data were analyzed using Somers’ D test. Results: A significant relationship was found between food acceptability and food waste (p < 0.001; r = 0.756). A significant relationship was also found between animal protein intake and food waste (p < 0.001; r = 0.655). Conclusion: Food acceptability and animal protein intake were significantly associated with food waste among students participating in the Free Nutritious Meal Program. Improving food acceptability and ensuring adequate animal protein intake may contribute to reducing food waste and optimizing the nutritional benefits of the program.]]>
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