Quaker launches the findings of ‘Bowl of Growth’ program addressing malnutrition in India

The PepsiCo Foundation, in collaboration with PepsiCo R&D and Quaker, has released the ‘Building A Healthier Tomorrow’ report at an event in Mumbai, highlighting the success of the Quaker ‘Bowl of Growth’ program. Launched in 2023 with NGO MAMTA HIMC, the initiative aims to uplift community health by supporting 1,000 malnourished children aged 3-5 in Mawal & Mulshi Blocks, Pune District, Maharashtra.

The program places the mother and child at the heart of its interventions. It has empowered parents and caregivers with knowledge and resources to provide balanced nutrition to children. A key focus of the program is to intervene during the early stages of malnutrition to prevent its progression to severe forms, ensuring a healthier future for children.

Aligned with PepsiCo’s principle of ‘Partnership of Progress’, the Quaker ‘Bowl of Growth’ program strategically partnered with the Government of Maharashtra to ensure the scalability and sustainability of nutrition interventions. Building on the success of the first phase, Quaker will continue the program in Pune, reaching an additional 2,000 children, with further expansion plans for Mumbai, aiming to benefit 4,000 children.

Program Impact and Key Findings

• 98% of children consistently ate at least three-quarters of the ‘panjiri’ made with Quaker Multigrain & Millet-based recipe.

• 89% of the children in the program experienced improved or stable growth parameters.

• 95.6% of mothers & caregivers reported an increase in their children’s appetite.

The event witnessed participation from Shri Kailash Pagare, Commissioner, ICDS, Government of Maharashtra; Dr. Muralidhar P. Tambe, Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, BJ Govt. Medical College, Pune; Dr. Pietro Antonio Tataranni, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Life Sciences, PepsiCo; Kareem Mohamed, International Programs Lead, PepsiCo Foundation; Mijanur Rahman, R&D Region Senior Director, PepsiCo India and South Asia; Rinkesh Satija, Senior Director and Supply Chain Head, PepsiCo India; and Dr Sunil Mehra, Executive Director, MAMTA HIMC; Dr Govind Chaudhary, Deputy Director & State Nodal Officer for Child Health, Govt of Maharashtra. Dr. Bhushan Gagrani (IAS), Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) shared a video message as part of the event.

Congratulating PepsiCo India, Kailash Pagare, Commissioner, ICDS, Government of Maharashtra said, “The improvement in children's nutritional health by the methodology of education, awareness and supplementation of nutrition is truly encouraging. These achievements highlight the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing malnutrition. The Government of Maharashtra fully supports and appreciates such initiatives as it aligns with our state's vision for a healthier future.”

Dr. Bhushan Gagrani (IAS), Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in his video message about the program, praised PepsiCo India for its dedication and commitment in launching the impactful 'Bowl of Growth' program in Pune, which aligns seamlessly with the state government's efforts to eradicate malnutrition. He emphasized that the success of this initiative underscores the strength of public-private partnerships and stressed the importance of scaling this program to reach more children across Maharashtra.

C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy for PepsiCo, commented on the significance of the program, “At the PepsiCo Foundation, we combat food insecurity through initiatives like meal delivery, supporting food banks, and regenerative farming. Malnutrition is a global issue, and proactive intervention is crucial to address the unique challenges faced in different regions. The Quaker ‘Bowl of Growth’ report highlights our commitment to improving childhood nutrition, showing significant gains in nutritional intake and knowledge. Our partnership with MAMTA HIMC has positively impacted community health in Pune, Maharashtra. Additionally, the support received from the local administration at each and every step over the last year has been instrumental in the implementation of the program. By addressing food insecurity at a local level, we aim to help create sustainable and long-lasting change in the communities we serve.”

Dr. Pietro Antonio Tataranni, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Life Sciences, PepsiCo added, “Through our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) commitment, we are dedicated to offering positive choices that benefit people and our planet. The impact findings of the ‘Bowl of Growth’ program highlight PepsiCo’s efforts in supporting underserved communities in India. The results are particularly encouraging, with 89% of the children in the program experiencing improved or stable growth parameters. Additionally, 95.6% of mothers & caregivers reported an increase in their children’s appetite. These numbers are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams over the past year. It's heartening to see that the enrolled children loved the panjiri, with nearly each child consistently consuming at least three-quarters of the provided recipe.”Key Interventions of the Quaker ‘Bowl of Growth’ Program:

• Nutrition: Developed a local recipe ‘panjiri’, made with a specialized Quaker multigrain & millets-based product with 18 vitamins & minerals.

• Awareness: Conducted thematic engagement sessions and released a program video on the importance of nutrition and millets.

• Education: Hosted daily workshops and introduced an illustrated comic book emphasizing balanced nutrition.

Quaker’s 'Bowl of Growth' initiative aligns with PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) ambition and ‘Food for Good’ efforts, aiming to provide nutritious food to 50 million people by 2030.The report launch was complemented by 'Fuel the Future,' an educational initiative aimed at empowering community members. Through this national competition, Quaker, a brand that stands for nutrition, aims to empower students of India's Nutrition and Allied Science College to be the changemakers, drive awareness and educate communities about malnutrition.The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance.