In honor of World Food Day, PepsiCo has joined forces with The Assembly Soup Kitchen (TASK) to provide over 1,000 food packs to underserved communities in Malaysia. These packs include Tropicana fruit drinks, Quaker 3-in-1 cereal drinks, Quaker cookies, and Lay’s potato chips, targeting students in refugee schools, homeless individuals, and members of the B40 group in the Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur.
The distribution effort was carried out in two phases. The first phase took place in August, where PepsiCo employees and their families volunteered to prepare and distribute meals. The second phase, occurring between October 16-23, focused on the assembly and distribution of the 1,000 Nourishing Food packs. This initiative aligns with PepsiCo’s mission to enhance nutrition access and resonates with this year’s World Food Day theme: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
“Food security is crucial for thriving communities. Sadly, many around the world, including Malaysia, continue to face food insecurity—a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Aditya Ahuja, Commercial Director for PepsiCo Foods in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Pacific Islands. “This year’s partnership with TASK expands upon our ongoing efforts to provide proper nutrition to underserved communities as part of our PepsiCo Positive (pep+) mission.”
Launched in 2021, PepsiCo Positive (pep+) is a strategic initiative focusing on three key pillars: Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices. These pillars represent PepsiCo’s dedication to sustainability, social responsibility, and community engagement.
The Positive Value Chain pillar emphasizes addressing food insecurity and enhancing livelihoods to foster sustainable growth. By collaborating with local organizations like TASK, PepsiCo aims to support vulnerable populations by ensuring access to nutritious food and strengthening community networks.
“Communities are central to our Positive Value Chain initiative. In Malaysia, as in many parts of the globe, food insecurity remains a pressing issue,” Ahuja noted. “Through pep+, we are committed to working with local partners to provide immediate assistance while also developing long-term solutions that empower communities and enhance resilience.”
The Positive Agriculture pillar focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices, improving crop yields, and assisting farmers in regenerating ecosystems to create a responsible food supply chain. Meanwhile, the Positive Choices pillar highlights PepsiCo’s efforts to provide healthier products and improve the nutritional profiles of existing offerings.
These three pillars collectively guide PepsiCo’s mission to grow responsibly and make a positive impact on communities and the environment.
In addition to tackling food security, PepsiCo is dedicated to fostering health and wellness in Malaysian communities. On September 22, 2024, Quaker, a brand under PepsiCo, sponsored the Coway Run at Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur. This event allowed Quaker to highlight its All-In-One cereal mixes and cookies, further supporting nutrition and active lifestyles.
The initiative aligned with PepsiCo’s mission to strengthen communities by addressing both food security and encouraging healthier lifestyles. Participants in the run were supported with Quaker’s 3-in-1 cereal drink range, designed to provide essential nutrients and energy, thereby enhancing their overall race experience.
The sampling initiative was highly successful, with 7,800 participants receiving Quaker products, which accounted for 92% of the total attendees.
“We sincerely appreciate PepsiCo’s ongoing support in providing food packs to those in need,” stated Mun Keong, Founder of TASK. “This contribution is making a significant difference for vulnerable communities, ensuring they receive necessary food assistance and feel valued. Partnerships like these are vital in addressing the critical issue of food insecurity.”