Model Integration of Information Technology in Optimizing the Food Supply Chain of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program to Reduce Food Waste

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program in Surabaya is a major government initiative designed to improve child nutrition and reduce hunger among schoolchildren from low-income families. Despite its importance, the program faces significant challenges of food loss and waste due to inefficiencies in transportation, storage, and demand matching. This study introduces a Smart MBG Cloud Platform and applies a linear programming model to optimize the program’s supply chain under two operational scenarios: a baseline system without Information Technology (IT) support and an IT-enhanced system integrating route optimization and digital inventory monitoring. Simulation results reveal substantial efficiency gains in the IT-integrated model. This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach involving samples from schools as beneficiaries and the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit as providers of free nutritious meals. Using simulation data from five kitchens and ten schools and conducting 50 stochastic replications, the IT-enhanced model achieved a 28% reduction in transportation cost and the total objective value declined by 22%, compared to without IT support scenario. These results demonstrate that incorporating digital route planning and inventory monitoring not only reduces operational expenses but also mitigates organic waste, ensuring fresher meal delivery and supporting sustainability targets. These improvements highlight the potential of digital tools to minimize inefficiencies, ensure fresher meal delivery, and strengthen the nutritional impact of the program. Beyond operational savings, the IT-based model contributes to reduced organic waste generation and aligns with broader sustainability goals. The findings provide empirical evidence that digital transformation can significantly enhance the performance of public food programs and offer practical insights for policymakers to replicate these strategies in similar urban initiatives.