Campaign Ambassador Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna, popular actresses Shriya Saran and Meenakshi Dixit pledge support to the cause

Chennai, April 18, 2017: Quaker India, in association with Smile Foundation, brought its Quaker Feed A Child programme to Chennai – an initiative that aims to further the cause of nutrition support among children by providing underprivileged children with a nutritious meal. Acclaimed Chef and PepsiCo’s Nutrition Ambassador Vikas Khanna along with noted actresses Shriya Saran and Meenakshi Dixit shared a meal with children to mark the occasion.

As campaign ambassador of the Quaker Feed a Child programme, Chef Vikas Khanna also invited Shriya Saran and Meenakshi Dixit to pledge their support to the cause. They interacted with children from Smile Foundation over a nutritious meal including Idlis, Payasam etc. made with Oats.

Speaking about the initiative, Deepika Warrier, Vice President – Nutrition Category, PepsiCo India, said,“According to recent reports, more than 3,000 children die every day in India from hunger and poor diet related illness. Quaker Feed a Child is a social initiative based on a powerful thought that urges us all to make every festival more meaningful by simply pledging a fistful of nutrition to feed a child. As the program rolls out in Tamil Nadu and with the start of the Tamil New Year, we hope that people will make their new year more meaningful by taking a pledge to feed a child.”

On World Food Day last year, the Quaker Feed a Child initiative committed to serve 200,000 meals to underprivileged children in India, through Smile Foundation. As part of this commitment, hundreds of children at Smile Foundation centres in Tamil Nadu will be receiving nutritious meals.

Talking about the initiative, Chef Vikas Khanna, PepsiCo’s Nutrition Ambassador said, “The problem of hunger and malnutrition in India cannot be solved in a day, and certainly cannot be solved by one person or entity. If each of us makes a small effort to help even one child, I believe we can take a big leap towards ensuring no child sleeps hungry. That’s the core of Quaker Feed a Child and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Highlighting the role nutrition can play in a child’s and subsequently nation’s development, Sanjeev Dham, COO, Smile Foundation, said, “While malnourishment and hunger are critical issues themselves, they also negatively impact other significant factors in the development of our children and country like literacy, education, healthcare and livelihood. We would like to thank PepsiCo India for partnering with us in helping make India hunger free and provide full and nutritious meals to children. Hope the people of Tamil Nadu will join our efforts!”

Speaking about her presence at the event, noted actress Shriya Saran said, “I pledge my support to the Quaker Feed a Child initiative and applaud Quaker India and Smile Foundation for their efforts to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children in Tamil Nadu. It is heart-warming to see a smile on a child’s face, and it was touching to share a meal with children who will be benefitting from the programme.”

About her participation in the initiative, popular actress Meenakshi Dixit said, “It feels great to be a part of a commendable effort like this, and I appreciate Quaker India and Smile Foundation for taking this step. The promise of food for a hungry child has to be one of the most hopeful and positive pledges ever made. Sharing this yummy, nutritious food with the kids makes this the most satisfying meal for me.”

To spread awareness about the vision of the Quaker Feed a Child programme, Quaker India launched a film ‘OruuruthimozhiBabukaagha’ on the occasion of Tamil New Year, urging viewers to take the Quaker Feed a Child pledge and join the movement.

Last year, Quaker India has already served over 200,000 meals to children in India through Smile Foundation. The Quaker Feed a Child programme further pledged 200,000 meals in October 2016 on World Food Day.

About Quaker:

Quaker Oats was launched in India in 2006. The brand Quaker is more than 130 years old and is a world leader in the oatmeal segment. Quaker Oats is a 100% wholegrain and natural source of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. It has strong heart health benefits and has a soluble fibre called ßeta Glucan, which is scientifically proven to help reduce cholesterol. In India, Quaker Oats are also available in variants such as Quaker Nutri Foods, Quick Cooking Oats, Oats Plus and a range of flavoured oats, including Chaat Style, Curry Magic, Homestyle Masala, Kesar flavour with Kishmish, Strawberry flavour with Apple and Tomato Veggie Surprise.

About PepsiCo India:

PepsiCo entered India in 1989 and has grown to become one of the largest MNC food and beverage businesses in India. PepsiCo India has been consistently investing in the country and has built an expansive beverage and snack food business supported by 62 plants across foods and beverages. PepsiCo India’s diverse portfolio includes iconic brands like Pepsi, Lay’s, Kurkure, Tropicana 100%, Gatorade and Quaker.

PepsiCo’s growth in India has been guided by “Performance with Purpose”- our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. In 2009, PepsiCo India achieved a significant milestone, by becoming the first business to achieve ‘Positive Water Balance’ in the beverage world, a fact verified by Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd. The company has been Water Positive since then. For more information, please visit www.pepsicoindia.co.in

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is a national development organisation directly benefitting over 400,000 children and their families every year, through more than 200 live welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood and women empowerment, in over 950 remote villages and slums across 25 states of India.To know more, please visit www.smilefoundationindia.org

For further information contact:

Madhushanan | 9840180356 | [email protected]

Swati Mehra | 9958477331 | [email protected]

Priya Dhawan | 9811319602 | [email protected]