Good nutrition is foundational to a child’s growth, development, and overall well-being—yet many children continue to face the challenges of malnutrition across India.
On the occasion of World Nutrition Day, we spoke with PepsiCo India about the growing impact of its nutrition-focused program, Quaker Bowl of Growth, which has successfully served over 4.2 lakh nutritious meals across Mumbai and Pune. Addressing child malnutrition through sustainable, community-led solutions, the initiative has reached more than 14,000 children (4,000 in Mumbai and 10,000 in Pune) aged between 3 and 14 years. Rooted in PepsiCo India’s philosophy of ‘Partnership of Progress’ and implemented in strategic collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, the program continues to drive scalable, on-ground impact.
In Mumbai alone, over 3,00,000 nutritious meals have been served across 32 primary schools and 56 Balwadis across Byculla, Dadar, Parel, Sion, Chinchpokli, Cotton Green, GTB Nagar, and Wadala. The program provides a daily serving of locally inspired, nutritionally appropriate meals/panjiri, complemented by workshops and tools aimed at driving meaningful impact and long-term behaviour change among families and communities. Implemented by the PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, in collaboration with the PepsiCo R&D team and the Quaker brand, in partnership with NGOs MAMTA-HIMC and Akshaya Chaitanya, the Quaker Bowl of Growth is built on three key pillars: Nutrition, Awareness, and Education.
The program educates caregivers on identifying and addressing malnutrition, recognizing its early signs, and understanding the risk factors associated with it. It also emphasizes iron deficiency anaemia, highlighting its symptoms, causes, and preventive care. Over 400 such sessions have been conducted across Mumbai and Pune, utilizing tools such as flipbooks and posters, interactive activities to encourage participation, and even creative elements like a ‘nutrition poem’ to make learning more memorable. This year, the initiative also introduced a WhatsApp-based engagement module to offer continued support to caregivers—especially working parents—via multilingual messages in Hindi and Marathi, reinforcing key lessons in child health and nutrition.
Speaking about the initiative, Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, said, “At PepsiCo India, we believe in fostering lasting partnerships that create meaningful change. The Quaker Bowl of Growth embodies our ‘Partnership of Progress’ philosophy, driving sustainable impact in collaboration with communities, NGOs, and the local administration. These on-ground stories of transformation and improvements in children’s health inspire us to continue driving long-lasting change in the communities we serve.”
We also spoke to some parents. Sharmiladevi Kumbhar, Parent of Shivam Kumbhar, Class 4, Wamanraon Mahadik School, Mumbai, shared, “Shivam used to fall sick constantly—fevers, weakness, something or the other every few weeks. I was worried whether he was getting enough nutrition. But once the Quaker Bowl of Growth became part of his routine, things began to change. He started having meals like Panjiri at school, and soon started asking for it at home as well. Within just a few weeks, we noticed a real change—he hadn’t fallen sick, and his energy was back. Through the education sessions, I learned how to make our meals more balanced and nutritious. Shivam even reminds us about hygiene now! This program has not only improved his health, but it’s also brought lasting change to our home.”
Anil Ahalkuril, Teacher, Jogalekarwadi School, Mumbai, said, “As a teacher, I’ve always believed that a child’s well-being is key to their learning—but I often saw students come to school tired, frequently sick, and unable to concentrate. It was clear their diets were lacking. When the Quaker Bowl of Growth introduced Panjiri through Akshaya Chaitanya and MAMTA, things began to change. The children loved the taste, but even more impactful were the lessons they learned about hygiene and nutrition. Over time, I saw the difference—students who once struggled became active, attentive, and healthier. For me, this program isn’t just about providing a meal, it’s about nurturing brighter futures through sustained, thoughtful care.”
PepsiCo India recognizes that addressing child malnutrition requires focused and responsible efforts. Through the Quaker Bowl of Growth initiative, the company is dedicated to supporting healthier childhoods—one meal, one lesson, and one child at a time. On World Nutrition Day, PepsiCo reaffirms its commitment to promoting positive nutritional outcomes and making meaningful contributions to the communities it serves.