Linear Programming for Free Nutritious Meal Programs: A Review of Menu Planning, Distribution, and Procurement Optimization
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This study synthesizes the application of linear programming (LP) in free nutritious meal programs, with particular relevance to Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) initiative. Using a structured literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2026 across major academic databases, 50 highly relevant studies were analyzed. The review examines LP applications across three interconnected operational decision levels: menu and nutrition planning, procurement, and distribution logistics. The findings show that LP effectively improves nutritional adequacy, reduces costs, enhances distribution efficiency, and supports environmentally sustainable operations. However, the literature remains fragmented, as most studies focus on a single decision level rather than integrated optimization. In addition, many models rely on deterministic assumptions and lack evaluation of long-term program outcomes such as health, equity, and sustainability. The review identifies key research gaps, including the need for integrated optimization frameworks, incorporation of operational uncertainty through stochastic or robust approaches, and stronger empirical validation in large-scale contexts. This study contributes by highlighting pathways for developing comprehensive decision-support systems capable of coordinating multiple operational components, thereby improving the feasibility and effectiveness of nationwide meal programs such as MBG.
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