Indonesian food prices fall during free meal program school holiday

Relief for consumers expected to end after president's flagship scheme resumes later this month

Eko Kurniawan, a vegetable seller at Surabaya's Tambak Rejo market, said the prices of most staples had fallen after President Prabowo Subianto's free meal program was suspended for the monthlong school holiday. (Photo by Johannes Nugroho)

SURABAYA, Indonesia -- Indonesian social media is abuzz as shoppers take advantage of a recent drastic drop in prices of most food staples. People are attributing the trend to the one-month break in President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals program (MBG) that coincides with the school holiday.