Quaker hosts a long table brunch on World Food Day with oats based dishes created by celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna, marking the launch of the program
India CSR News Network
MUMBAI: On the occasion of World Food Day, Quaker India announced the launch of Quaker Feed a Child program to bring a fistful of nutrition to thousands of underprivileged children in India during this festive season. To mark the launch, Quaker India, along with celebrity Chef and PepsiCo’s Nutrition Ambassador, Vikas Khanna, hosted a long table brunch with oats-based dishes for children from Smile Foundation.
Speaking about the initiative, Deepika Warrior, Vice President – Nutrition Category, PepsiCo India, said; “We believe that ‘Ek Muthi Quaker’ has the power to make a difference in people’s lives. Quaker Feed a Child is a social extension of what ‘Ek Muthi’ can do. This initiative is based on a powerful thought that urges us all to make every festival more meaningful by simply pledging a fistful to feed a child.”
For every pack of Quaker Oats purchased on BigBasket.com this festive season – between World Food Day, 16th October to Children’s Day, 14th November 2016 – Quaker will provide a meal to an underprivileged child in India, through Smile Foundation. Quaker has pledged to provide a minimum of 2,00,000 meals to children in India through Quaker Feed a Child during this period.
Talking about the initiative and the special brunch prepared for the kids, Chef Vikas Khanna, said; “Whether I’m in New York or in India, it pains my heart to see news and sights of children in India who are less fortunate. 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 we all make an effort to bring a smile to even one child, I think we’ll get the true blessings we yearn for in the festivities. That’s the core of Quaker Feed a Child and I am happy to be a part of it. The brunch today marks the beginning of the initiative, and aptly so on World Food Day. To make this a special brunch for the kids, we have created healthy Quaker Oats based pink beetroot idlis, pizzas, burgers, spaghetti and cookies. What better way to celebrate the festive season than by feeding a nutritious meal to kids.”
The World Bank estimates that India is one of the highest ranking countries in the world for the number of children suffering from malnutrition. Earlier this year, the Quaker Gift a Meal initiative successfully helped provide 2,00,000 nutritious meals to around 4000 children across 12 states in India.
Ek Muthi Quaker, or a fistful of Quaker oats added to the everyday meal can increase its nutrition quotient while retaining the taste, and help people do more. Ek Muthi Quaker Oats is equated to approximately 16gms, that is, one-third of a person’s daily wholegrain requirement.
Quaker Oats have Beta Glucon Fibre that helps reduce Cholesterol. Additionally, they are high on energy, protein and carbohydrates which are extremely important for kids today. Quaker Oats are also available in variants such as Quick Cooking Oats, Oats Plus, and six delicious flavors including the recently launched Chaat Style and Curry Magic, co-created with the company’s nutrition ambassador, Chef Vikas Khanna.
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 βeta Glucan, which is scientifically proven to help reduce cholesterol. In India, Quaker Oats are also available in variants such as 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.
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.
