PepsiCo Rallies for Malaysians’ Right to food for a Better Life and a Better Future on World Food Day

 In celebration of World Food Day, PepsiCo has partnered with The Assembly Soup Kitchen (TASK) to distribute over 1000 food packs, containing Tropicana fruit drinks, Quaker 3in1 Cereal Drinks, Quaker Cookies and Lay’s Potato Chips to underserved communities in Malaysia. This initiative primarily benefits students in refugee schools, homeless individuals, and members of the B40 group in Chow Kit area of KL.

PepsiCo’s World Food Day food distribution drive in Malaysia was done in two phases. In the first phase, PepsiCo employees and their family members came together to freshly prepare and distribute meals in August, while in the second phase 1000 Nourishing Food packs were prepared to be distributed in the week of October 16-23. This initiative is aligned with PepsiCo’s mission to improve nutrition access and ties into this year’s World Food Day theme: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”

“Food security is essential to thriving communities. Unfortunately, much of the world’s population remains food insecure—a crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Malaysia is no exception,” said Aditya Ahuja, Commercial Director for PepsiCo Foods in Malaysia, Singapore & Pacific Islands. “This year’s collaboration with TASK builds on our multi-year efforts to ensure that underserved communities in Malaysia have access to proper nutrition, as part of our PepsiCo Positive (pep+) mission.”

Supporting Food Security and Communities with PepsiCo Positive (pep+)

PepsiCo Positive (pep+), launched in 2021, is a strategic transformation that focuses on three pillars: Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices. These pillars are designed to drive PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and community support.

The Positive Value Chain pillar emphasises PepsiCo’s commitment to strengthening communities by addressing key social issues like food insecurity, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering sustainable growth. Through partnerships with local organisations such as TASK, PepsiCo is working to support vulnerable groups by providing access to nutritious food and building stronger community networks.

“Communities are at the heart of our Positive Value Chain pillar. In Malaysia, as in many other parts of the world, food insecurity is a growing concern,” said Aditya Ahuja. “Through pep+, we are dedicated to working with local partners to deliver immediate relief while also contributing to long-term solutions that empower communities and support resilience.”

The Positive Agriculture pillar aims to advance sustainable farming practices, improve crop yields, and support farmers in regenerating ecosystems to ensure a responsible food supply chain.

The Positive Choices pillar underscores PepsiCo’s commitment to offering better for you products, improving the nutrient profiles of existing brands, and helping consumers make healthier choices.

Together, these three pillars guide PepsiCo’s mission to drive growth with purpose, positively impacting communities and the environment.

Community Engagement through Partnerships

As part of its commitment to promoting health and wellness in Malaysian communities, PepsiCo is also focused on encouraging healthier lifestyles through physical activity and balanced nutrition. On September 22, 2024, Quaker, a PepsiCo brand, proudly sponsored the Coway Run at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur. This event provided a platform for Quaker to showcase its All-In-One Cereal Mixes and Cookies, reinforcing their role in supporting nutrition and active lifestyles.

The event aligned with PepsiCo’s mission to foster stronger communities by not only addressing food security but also encouraging a healthier lifestyle. By offering Quaker 3in1 cereal drink range that contains vital nutrients to release instant energy, Quaker aimed to support the participants during the run—enhancing the overall race experience.

The sampling initiative was a great success, with 7,800 participants receiving the Quaker products, representing 92% of total attendees.

“We’re grateful for PepsiCo’s continuous support in providing food packs to those in need,” said Mun Keong, Founder of TASK. “This contribution is making a meaningful impact on vulnerable communities, ensuring that they receive food and feel supported. Partnerships like these are essential in addressing the urgent issue of food insecurity.”