Indonesia's free meals drive leaves remote kitchen investors deep in debt

A Reuters investigation describes how debt pressures are mounting for investors in Indonesia’s free-meals program after delays and changes to reimbursement for remote school-kitchen projects. In Torosiaje, off Sulawesi, a stilt kitchen costing 1.8 billion rupiah (about $100,000) sits amid water and loan sharks’ demands. Lawyer Sigit Buludawa says he financed the build in November using his own money and unlicensed loans, with repayments now delayed or altered as the government tries to cut costs for a plan aimed at feeding 83 million people. The National Nutrition Agency did not comment, while officials said kitchens with high child stunting rates will be prioritized.