<![CDATA[The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is a strategic policy of the Indonesian government aimed at improving students’ nutritional status and learning outcomes by providing free, nutritious meals in schools. While various studies report positive impacts of the MBG program on student attendance, concentration, and academic achievement, its implementation has also been marked by issues such as budget wastage, regional disparities in access, and questions regarding the sustainability of its effects once the program ends. Conversely, community-based nutrition education and parenting programs falling within the realm of nonformal education have the potential to foster deeper changes in the knowledge and dietary habits of families, particularly children, at a significantly lower cost. This article employs a literature review method to synthesize findings from previous research and compare the effectiveness of these two approaches. The review indicates that the MBG program excels in delivering quickly measurable short-term impacts, whereas community based non formal education offers the potential for more sustainable outcomes by targeting behavioral changes at the family level. The article recommends integrating both approaches, suggesting that strengthening nutrition education for parents through non formal education channels should accompany school based nutritions program to ensure that the impact persists even after food assistance ceases.]]>
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