Fueling Futures: PepsiCoS Commitment to School Breakfast Programs
Recognizing the critical link between nutrition and educational success, PepsiCo has considerably expanded its school breakfast programs, addressing growing food insecurity rates globally.Currently, nearly one in five (18%) households with children in England and scotland face food insecurity, prompting initiatives like Quaker’s donation of over 1.3 million portions of oats and cereal to schools across those countries during the 2023-2024 academic year.
The need is even more acute in regions like South Africa, where data from the Human Sciences research Council indicates that 63.5% of households experience food insecurity, with 17.5% severely affected. to combat this, pepsico launched the School Breakfast Nutrition Program in South Africa in 2015. Initially serving over 5,000 students in two provinces, the program has grown to provide daily breakfasts to nearly 34,000 children across seven provinces.
“This program is about giving children the fuel they need to learn,grow and thrive,” explains Siphelele Shongwe,who oversees the program and leads Social Impact for PepsiCo in South Africa.
PepsiCo leverages its diverse brand portfolio to deliver nutritious and appealing meals. In South Africa,school breakfasts include Bokomo Weet-Bix with milk,providing fiber,protein,and calcium,alongside White Star Instant Porridge,a nutrient-rich and easily prepared option for colder weather. FutureLife porridge is also utilized by nonprofit partners and the South African Department of Basic Education in early childhood growth centers.
Beyond South Africa, quaker plays a key role in breakfast programs in the U.S.and the U.K., offering products like Oat So Simple, Golden Oat Crunch Granola, and Quaker bars to help students start their day focused and energized.
pepsico views these programs as evolving initiatives, continually adapting to community needs and strengthening partnerships to broaden their impact. The company also actively engages its associates through volunteering, giving, and mentoring opportunities, fostering a sense of purpose and driving positive change.
As Matt, a representative from the PepsiCo Foundation, states, “Our foundation’s tagline is ‘We feed potential’ and these breakfast programs are a direct reflection of that mission.We believe every child has the potential to thrive, and we are focused on trying to remove barriers by providing access to nutritious food that helps students show up, stay engaged and succeed.”
