Article Sidebar

Download
PDF

Main Article Content

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) is a national strategic policy in the food and nutrition sector aimed at improving the quality of human resources from school age. Based on studies from Bappenas, the presidential special envoy for Food Security, and several credible news sources, food waste in Indonesia remained substantial in 2025. Indonesia ranks 4th in food waste globally, resulting in national economic losses of up to IDR 500 trillion per year. Part of this food waste is contributed by the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). Therefore, minimizing food waste in the MBG Program is important. One way to minimize MBG food waste is by understanding the preferences and consumption behavior patterns of students receiving MBG. To date, evaluation of the MBG program has been dominated by nutritional and food distribution approaches, while studies based on students' consumption behavior remain relatively limited. This condition indicates the urgency of research to produce scientific evidence supporting the strengthening of MBG policy based on food consumption behavior. This study aims to examine the effect of food preference on the consumption behavior of MBG recipient students, with food neophobia as a mediating variable. This study also aims to elaborate on other factors shaping the consumption behavior of MBG recipient students, as well as to develop a model of consumption behavior for MBG recipient students. The study employs a mixed-method approach. The quantitative approach was conducted through a questionnaire survey, with data analyzed using SEM-PLS. Meanwhile, the qualitative approach was conducted using the ZMET technique (interviews using images). The results show that food preference has a significant positive effect on consumption behavior, both directly and through the mediation of food neophobia, while food neophobia has a significant negative effect on consumption behavior. Qualitative findings through ZMET confirm that visual appeal and nutritional content are the main drivers of student preference, while poor food quality and safety are the main triggers of food neophobia and potential food waste.

Keywords

Food Preference Food Neophobia Consumption Behavior MBG

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Bariyyatul Qibtiyah, D., Siddiqi, M. F., Islami, I. M. R., & Viyani, A. O. (2026). Beyond the MBG Plate: The Influence of Food Preferences and Food Neophobia on Students’ Food Consumption Behavior. Amkop Management Accounting Review (AMAR), 6(2), 537–555. https://doi.org/10.37531/amar.v6i2.4060
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

References

  1. Agustini, U. (2025). Efektivitas dan Tantangan Kebijakan Program Makan Bergizi Gratis sebagai Intervensi Pendidikan di Indonesia. Jurnal Kiprah Pendidikan, 4(3), 362–368. https://doi.org/10.33578/kpd.v4i3.p362-368
  2. Andin, A., Risti, D., Latifah, I., Panuntun, M., Nur, M., Selviani, R., & Saptatiningsih, R. I. (2024). Penerapan Nilai Pancasila Melalui Program Makan Bergizi Gratis. Indonesian Journal of Education and Development Research, 3(1), 370–383. https://doi.org/10.57235/ijedr.v3i1.4684
  3. Aspani, R., & Faeni, D. P. (2025). STRATEGI GREEN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DALAM PROGRAM MAKAN BERGIZI GRATIS DI LEMBAGA PENDIDIKAN MILITER: PENDEKATAN BERKELANJUTAN UNTUK KESEJAHTERAAN PERSONEL. SINERGI : Jurnal Riset Ilmiah, 2(9), 4156–4163. https://doi.org/10.62335/sinergi.v2i9.1677
  4. Ayoughi, F., Handley, M., Garza, J., Amin, S., Volpe, R., & Lammert, A. (2022). Parental perspective and feeding practices effects on food neophobia in elementary school children in San Luis Obispo County. Journal of Sensory Studies, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/joss.12717
  5. Bappenas. (2021). Laporan Kajian Bappenas.
  6. Białek-Dratwa, A., Szczepańska, E., Szymańska, D., Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., & Kowalski, O. (2022a). Neophobia—A Natural Developmental Stage or Feeding Difficulties for Children? Nutrients, 14(7), 1521. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071521
  7. Białek-Dratwa, A., Szczepańska, E., Szymańska, D., Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., & Kowalski, O. (2022b). Neophobia—A Natural Developmental Stage or Feeding Difficulties for Children? Nutrients, 14(7), 1521. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071521
  8. Catherine, R. N., & Damarjati, D. (2025). Makanan yang Terbuang di Indonesia Capai Rp 500 Triliun Per Tahun. Kompas.
  9. Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business Research Methods 12th Edition. In Business Research Methods (Twelfth). McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
  10. Costa, A., Silva, C., & Oliveira, A. (2020). Food neophobia and its association with food preferences and dietary intake of adults. Nutrition & Dietetics, 77(5), 542–549. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12587
  11. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
  12. Dewi, H. K. (2023). Potensi Kerugian dari Food Loss dan Food Waste di Indonesia Capai Rp 551 Triliun Artikel ini telah tayang di Kontan.co.id dengan judul “Potensi Kerugian dari Food Loss dan Food Waste di Indonesia Capai Rp 551 Triliun.” Kontan.ID.
  13. Di Nucci, A., Pilloni, S., Scognamiglio, U., & Rossi, L. (2023). Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Food Neophobia Occurrence in Children: A Study Carried out in Italy. Nutrients, 15(24), 5078. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245078
  14. Doan, M. H., Drossel, A.-L., & Sassen, R. (2025). Sustainable food consumption behaviors of generations Y and Z: A comparison study. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 17, 100272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100272
  15. Ellrott, T. (2012). sychological aspects of nutrition. Aktuelle Ernährungsmedizin, 37(03), 155–167. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1304946
  16. Gracia, A., & Gómez, M. I. (2020). Food Sustainability and Waste Reduction in Spain: Consumer Preferences for Local, Suboptimal, And/Or Unwashed Fresh Food Products. Sustainability, 12(10), 4148. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104148
  17. Hadi, W. I., Matang, & Sari, H. T. W. (2025). Program Makan Bergizi Gratis: Strategi Peningkatan Gizi dan Kualitas Pendidikan di SDN 13 Cempaka Pekanbaru. Prosiding Semdikjar, 8(8), 2313–2323. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29407/4332ws53
  18. Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). SAGE Publications, Inc.
  19. Hancock, C., & Foster, C. (2019). Exploring the ZMET methodology in services marketing. Journal of Services Marketing, 34(1), 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSM-11-2018-0344
  20. Hendra, V. (2025). Diduga Basi dan Berulat, MBG di Beberapa Sekolah Aceh Tamiang Tidak Layak Dimakan Murid. Kabar Tamiang.
  21. Jezewska-Zychowicz, M., Plichta, M., Drywień, M. E., & Hamulka, J. (2021). Food Neophobia among Adults: Differences in Dietary Patterns, Food Choice Motives, and Food Labels Reading in Poles. Nutrients, 13(5), 1590. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051590
  22. Karaağaç, Y., & Bellikci-Koyu, E. (2023). A narrative review on food neophobia throughout the lifespan: relationships with dietary behaviours and interventions to reduce it. British Journal of Nutrition, 130(5), 793–826. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522003713
  23. Krupa-Kotara, K., Nowak, B., Markowski, J., Rozmiarek, M., & Grajek, M. (2024). Food Neophobia in Children Aged 1–6 Years—Between Disorder and Autonomy: Assessment of Food Preferences and Eating Patterns. Nutrients, 16(17), 3015. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16173015
  24. Kutbi, H. A. (2020). The Relationships between Maternal Feeding Practices and Food Neophobia and Picky Eating. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), 3894. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113894
  25. Lagerkvist, C. J. (2013). Consumer preferences for food labelling attributes: Comparing direct ranking and best–worst scaling for measurement of attribute importance, preference intensity and attribute dominance. Food Quality and Preference, 29(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2013.02.005
  26. Linda, J. (2025). Daftar Kontroversi Program MBG, Kasus Keracunan Meningkat. Fortune Indonesia.
  27. Montoya, L. M. A., & Alcaraz, P. A. V. (2016). Preferencias alimentarias en los hogares de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Saúde e Sociedade, 25(3), 750–759. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-12902016149242
  28. M.Pd, Prof. Dr. S., Usman, U., Pamungkas, T. A., Rosadi, S., & Fahmi, F. (2025). The Effects of the Free Nutritious Eat Policy on Students’ Concentration, Motivation, and Physical Well-Being in Learning at Public Middle Schools in Banten Province. Journal of Economics, Finance And Management Studies, 08(08). https://doi.org/10.47191/jefms/v8-i8-68
  29. Najibah, I. (2025). Siswa SDN di Sidoarjo Bawa Pulang Sisa Makanan Bergizi Gratis karena Tak Habis. Kompas.
  30. Pambudi, A. W. (2024). Indonesia Government’s Efforts to Eradicate Stunting Through the Free Nutritious Meal Program for Children: Opportunities and Challenges. Jurnal Politikom Indonesiana, 9(2), 157–182. https://doi.org/10.35706/jpi.v9i2.13165
  31. Pemerintah Kota Rembang. (2025). Sisa Makanan Program MBG Dilarang Dibawa Pulang dan Dibuang, Satgas: Penting untuk Evaluasi SPPG. Pemerintah Kabupaten Rembang.
  32. Poyraz, S. S., & Ciftci, S. (2025). Mother’s food neophobia and eating disorder: Are they associated with child’s eating behavior? A study of mother-child pairs. Children’s Health Care, 54(2), 219–236. https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2025.2455083
  33. Pramana, R. Y., Fadillah, A., & Daryanto, A. (2021). Re-Food: Digital Platform-based Innovation Solutions for National Food Waste Problems. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1764(1), 012039. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1764/1/012039
  34. Prasetyo, T. F., Putra, R. A., Kurniawan, R., & Nurdin, R. F. (2025). The Impact of Free Nutritional Meal Program on Students’ Physical Fitness and Mental Health: A Descriptive Study.
  35. Qibtiyah, D. B., & Dharmmesta, B. S. (2024). Factors Causing Panic Purchasing Behavior in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Customer Satisfaction With Government Intervention as Moderating Variable. Gadjah Mada International Journal of Business, 26(3), 311–340.
  36. R., B., & S., R. M. (2024). FOOD WASTE REDUCTION AND PROVISION: THE CURRENT SPECTRUM OF SOLUTIONS - A REVIEW. Journal of Dynamics and Control, 31–34. https://doi.org/10.71058/jodac.v9i1004
  37. Rioux, C. (2020). Food Neophobia in Childhood. In Handbook of Eating and Drinking (pp. 413–432). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14504-0_159
  38. Rozin, P., & Vollmecke, T. A. (1986). Food Likes and Dislikes. Annual Review of Nutrition, 6(1), 433–456. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nu.06.070186.002245
  39. Sahrin, S., Banna, Md. H. Al, Rifat, M. A., Tetteh, J. K., Ara, T., Hamiduzzaman, M., Spence, C., Kundu, S., Abid, M. T., Hasan, M. M. M., Akter, N., Biswas, A., & Jharna, D. E. (2023). Food neophobia and its association with sociodemographic factors and food preferences among Bangladeshi university students: Evidence from a cross-sectional study. Heliyon, 9(5), e15831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15831
  40. Sambas. (2025). Siswa di Makassar diberi hadiah habiskan makanan program MBG. Antara.
  41. Sari, S. M. (2025). IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FREE NUTRITIOUS MEAL POLICY IN BONDOWOSO REGENCY. Journal Publicuho, 8(3), 1898–1907. https://doi.org/10.35817/publicuho.v8i3.896
  42. Sianturi, H. R. P. (2025). Politics on a plate: equivocal communication in Indonesian presidential nutrition policy. Frontiers in Communication, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1612652
  43. Soma, R. I., Azhar, A., & Uchiyama, T. (2024). Food preferences in Indonesian schoolchildren and the parents’ perspectives on the upcoming nutritious free meal program. E3S Web of Conferences, 577, 02004. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202457702004
  44. Sorokowska, A., Chabin, D., Hummel, T., & Karwowski, M. (2022). Olfactory perception relates to food neophobia in adolescence. Nutrition, 98, 111618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2022.111618
  45. Sugiyono. (2019). Metodologi Penelitian Kuantitatif dan Kualitatif dan R&D. ALFABETA.
  46. Tan, X., Abdul Shukor, S. F., & Soh, K. G. (2024). Visual Cues, Liking, and Emotional Responses: What Combination of Factors Result in the Willingness to Eat Vegetables Among Children with Food Neophobia? Foods, 13(20), 3294. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203294
  47. Turker, G. F. (2025). Reducing Food Waste in Campus Dining: A Data-Driven Approach to Demand Prediction and Sustainability. Sustainability, 17(2), 379. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020379
  48. Umam, K. (2025). Penyedia MBG Bermasalah Dievaluasi.
  49. Wadhera, D., Capaldi Phillips, E. D., Wilkie, L. M., & Boggess, M. M. (2015). Perceived recollection of frequent exposure to foods in childhood is associated with adulthood liking. Appetite, 89, 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.01.011
  50. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  51. Zamparo, G., Cunico, P., Vianelli, D., & Moretti, A. (2023). It is unnatural!–the role of food neophobia and food technology neophobia in shaping consumers’ attitudes: a multimethod approach. British Food Journal, 125(6), 2275–2293. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-02-2022-0099
  52. Zhang, L., Ye, L., Qian, L., & Zuo, X. (2009). The impact of dietary preference on household food waste: evidence from China. Frontiers in Nutrition.

Similar Articles

<< < 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.