In a significant initiative to mark World Food Day, PepsiCo has joined forces with The Assembly Soup Kitchen (TASK) to distribute over 1,000 food packs to underserved communities across Malaysia. This collaboration aims to provide essential nourishment to students in refugee schools, homeless individuals, and members of the B40 group in the Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur.
The food distribution drive took place in two phases with The Assembly Soup Kitchen (TASK). The first phase involved PepsiCo employees and their families volunteering to prepare and serve fresh meals in August. The second phase, which runs from October 16 to 23, focuses on distributing Nourishing Food Packs that include popular items like Tropicana fruit drinks, Quaker 3in1 Cereal Drinks, Quaker Cookies, and Lay’s Potato Chips.
This initiative aligns with PepsiCo’s commitment to improving access to nutritious food, reflecting 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,” said Aditya Ahuja, Commercial Director for PepsiCo Foods in Malaysia, Singapore & Pacific Islands. “This partnership with TASK builds on our ongoing efforts to ensure that underserved communities have access to proper nutrition as part of our PepsiCo Positive (pep+) mission.”
Launched in 2021, PepsiCo Positive (pep+) focuses on three key pillars: Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices. These pillars emphasize PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, particularly in addressing food insecurity.
The Positive Value Chain pillar aims to strengthen communities by tackling social issues like food insecurity and enhancing livelihoods. Through partnerships with local organizations like TASK, PepsiCo seeks to provide access to nutritious food and build stronger community networks. “In Malaysia, food insecurity is a growing concern,” added Ahuja. “We are dedicated to collaborating with local partners to deliver immediate relief and contribute to long-term solutions that empower communities.”
The Positive Agriculture pillar focuses on advancing sustainable farming practices, while the Positive Choices pillar highlights PepsiCo’s commitment to improving the nutrient profiles of its products to help consumers make healthier choices.
In addition to addressing food security, PepsiCo is committed to promoting health and wellness in Malaysian communities. On September 22, 2024, Quaker, a brand under PepsiCo, sponsored the Coway Run in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, showcasing its All-In-One Cereal Mixes and Cookies. The event not only supported nutrition but also encouraged physical activity and healthier lifestyles among participants.
With 7,800 participants sampling Quaker products, this initiative effectively reinforced PepsiCo’s mission to foster stronger communities through both nutrition and active living.
“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 they receive food and feel supported. Partnerships like these are essential in addressing the urgent issue of food insecurity.”
